Due to a shortage of West Coast port workers, the busiest U.S. ocean trade gateway has been forced to largely shut on Friday. Prior to this, there had been months of strained labor negotiations between the union dock workers and their employers. A large number of ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach workers, including operators needed to load and unload cargo, failed to show up on the job starting Thursday evening, according to the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), which represents employers.
The PMA said the missing workers were a result of a coordinated action by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) to withhold labor as contract talks drag on. A statement read: "The action by the union has effectively shut down the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.”
Instead, the ILWU said the slowdown was due to thousands of union workers attending a monthly membership meeting on Thursday evening and observing the Good Friday holiday the following day.
Union workers at the ports have been on the job without an employment contract since the previous agreement expired on July 1, 2022, and the labor dispute has forced major retailers to shift cargo to East and Gulf Coast ports to avoid disruptions.
NRF statement on disruption of West Coast port operations
The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French following the decision of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union to withhold labor at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
“Retailers throughout the country depend on U.S. ports to support their daily business needs. The West Coast ports, especially those in Los Angeles and Long Beach, are a pivotal entry point to the United States that allow American consumers access to global products and essential goods.”
“NRF is closely monitoring the situation in California and has reiterated its concerns to the White House. It is essential that the ongoing labor negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association are resolved immediately. We again call on the administration to engage and prevent any further disruption to port operations and cargo fluidity.”
Source: reuters.com