ILWU, PMA overcome negotiating roadblock, agree on chassis maintenance and repair measures

Negotiators for the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have reached a tentative agreement on the chassis maintenance and repair issue that has been the major roadblock to reaching a new waterfront contract at West Coast ports. PMA spokesman Steve Getzug said on Monday that the tentative agreement was reached, but that no further details will be released at this time. Getzug also said the ILWU work slowdowns that have crippled all West Coast ports since early November are continuing.

ILWU spokesman Craig Merrilees said negotiations continued through the weekend and into Monday, and he described the tone of the negotiations as “positive.” Indeed, industry sources said the ILWU and PMA are now negotiating with an intensity not yet seen since the talks began on May 12, 2014, and both parties appear to want this saga of mutual recrimination and horrendous delays to end as soon as possible.

Livingston continues to track the ongoing labor negotiations and will post updates as they become available. We recommend you bookmark our West Coast port updates page and follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on the latest.

Source: Journal of Commerce