The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have been engaged in talks since May 12.
20,000 dockworkers at 29 West Coast ports are still under negotiation for a new labor contract. Current 6 year contract expires on June 30,2014 and we don’t know yet as to what is going to happen, some are anticipating ports shutdown but experts believe that they will close a deal; however it will not be before contract expires and there may well be some port operational disruption during the first 2 weeks of July.
Importers must be ready for any possible delay on their shipments. We will keep monitoring and send updates to our importers.
If history is any guide, a deal will not be wrapped up by that expiration time. In the past, it has taken several weeks after contract expiration to come up with an agreement, making things dicey for importer and exporters using these ports.
You may also go to this link for any updates:
http://www.longshoreshippingnews.com/2014/06/pma-ilwu-provide-update-on-contract-talks/
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