ILWU and PMA optimistic about contract agreement before July 1st

Both sides of the labor negotiations that affect unionized port workers in California, Oregon, and Washington have kept pretty quiet about the proceedings, but from early on both sides expressed a commitment to negotiate early and agree on a contract by July 1st. It’s only weeks away and it’s been difficult to get any kind of info on how negotiations are proceeding, but yesterday the Daily Breeze had some positive news reiterating both sides commitment to reaching an agreement by July 1st:

The ILWU and the PMA have said that they hope to avoid a repeat of the bitter 2002 labor dispute that eventually led to a 10-day lockout and shutdown of the ports, which ended when President Bush intervened.

To head off any potential problems, both sides launched contract talks on March 17, much earlier than the 60-day negotiating period that was previously recognized.

The PMA (Pacific Maritime Association) which represents employers:

“I think everybody understands that the clock is ticking,” said Steve Getzug, a spokesman for the PMA, a consortium of shipping companies operating along the West Coast.

“There’s a lot of interest in what happens at the West Coast ports,” Getzug said. “The PMA continues to remain focused on reaching a contract by July 1, and we intend to do so without the kind of disruptions we’ve seen in the past.”

The ILWU (International Longshore and Warehouse Union) which represents employees:

“Both sides seem to be listening to each other and making progress, so that’s always a good sign,” Merrilees said. “It’s easier to hear each other and solve problems when both sides are committed to working in good faith to reach a fair agreement, and that’s what we’re seeing so far.”

Let’s hope this isn’t just a bunch of fancy PR talk and that an agreement is reached soon.