The Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union announced a tentative agreement on a new six-year contract covering workers at all 29 West Coast ports, according to a joint statement.
The talks dragged on for more than a year to replace the previous contract that expired in July.
The deal comes as the pandemic-era supply-chain crisis eases and the world’s biggest economy struggles with inflation and rising interest rates. While import volumes are down across the US, West Coast ports have been losing market share as shippers divert their goods to East and Gulf Coast maritime hubs, in part to avoid potential disruptions as labor talks dragged on.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that recognizes the heroic efforts and personal sacrifices of the ILWU workforce in keeping our ports operating,” said PMA President James McKenna and ILWU President Willie Adams in a joint statement. “We are also pleased to turn our full attention back to the operation of the West Coast Ports.”
The deal was reached with assistance from Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su. The parties will not be releasing details of the agreement at this time. The agreement is subject to ratification by both parties, the statement said.
US retailers and importers who diverted goods to East and Gulf Coast ports during the year-long contract negotiation have said they won’t bring cargo back to West Coast ports until a deal is ratified, which can take several weeks.
(Updates with comment in fourth, labor secretary role in fifth paragraph)
