West Coast Port Labor Contract — Labor Puts Negotiations on Hold Until June 1
On May 23, TGA confirmed press reports that the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) has left the negotiating table and put negotiations towards a West Coast port labor contract on hold until at least June 1. On May 13, Harold Daggett, President of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), the dockworkers union at the East and Gulf Coast ports, issued a video strongly supporting the ILWU and strongly opposing automation at the ports. Many believe the negotiations will turn on the issues of pay and the future of automation at West Coast ports. TGA will ratchet up its ringing of the alarm bells on this issue and urge the White House to impose guard rails on the negotiations. Among the ideas discussed is assembling another company letter to President Biden. The current contract expires July 1.