West Coast dockworkers and shipping industry settle labor dispute after one-year standoff.
Longshore Union Ratifies Six-Year Contract with Pacific Maritime Association
In an exciting development for the shipping industry, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) has announced the ratification of a six-year contract with the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA). After nearly a year of negotiations and discord that plagued West Coast ports, including Los Angeles and Long Beach, this agreement brings much-needed stability and progress.
The ILWU members have overwhelmingly voted in favor of approving the new contract, with an impressive 75 percent in favor. The voting results were certified by the union’s Coast Balloting Committee, ensuring a fair and democratic process.
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“The negotiations for this contract were protracted and challenging,” said Willie Adams, president of the ILWU. “I am grateful to our rank-and-file for their strength, to our negotiating committee for their vision and tenacity, and to those that supported giving the union and association the space that we needed to get this result.”
The new agreement is a significant win for the union, as it protects good-paying jobs in 29 West Coast port communities, maintains health benefits, and improves wages, pensions, and safety protections. With approximately 20,000 longshore and clerk workers represented by the ILWU, this contract has far-reaching positive implications.
Jim McKenna, President and CEO of the PMA, expressed his satisfaction with the contract, noting that it provides a framework for overcoming new competitive challenges and positioning the West Coast ports as top choices for shippers worldwide. McKenna emphasized the importance of these ports in driving economies and creating jobs.
While the terms of the contract have not been disclosed by either party, it has been reported that dockworkers will receive a raise of $4.62 an hour in the first year, equivalent to a 10 percent wage increase, with an additional $2 an hour in each subsequent year.
The announcement of the ratified contract has garnered praise from local officials. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson issued a joint statement, highlighting the critical role of labor stability in the success of the San Pedro Bay Port Complex. They emphasized that these ports handle over $400 billion in trade, impacting jobs and economies across the nation.
City Councilman Tim McOsker, representing L.A.’s Port District, echoed the sentiments of the mayors, commending the contract for respecting the hard work of the individuals involved while safeguarding the economy.
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