Green light for the renewal of the US West Coast port workers’ contract. Over the last few days 75% of the dockers represented by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) gave the OK to the preliminary agreement reached in June with the organization representing the shipping companies, the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA).
ILWU President Willie Adams said contract negotiations for had been long and challenging. He thanked their associates for their steadfastness, the negotiating committee for their vision and tenacity, and those who supported the ILWU and the PMA by giving them the space they needed to reach this result.
According to PMA President and CEO Jim McKenna the new contract provides an important foundation for the hard work ahead to overcome new competitive challenges and to position West Coast ports as first choice ports of call for shippers around the world.
The new contract will last six years and will be retroactive from 1st July 2022.
Translation by Giles Foster
