Deal Reached to End Severe West Coast Port Backlog

Multiple sources report that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) have reached a tentative agreement on a new five-year labor contract, ending several months of back-ups and delays at 29 West Coast ports.

The deal was reached with the assistance of U.S. Secretary of Labor Tom Perez and Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Deputy Director Scot Beckenbaugh, following more than nine months of talks. As reported by Bloomberg News this past Friday, talks had broken down this month over a union demand that it be able to fire arbitrators in workplace grievances. The two sides had reached terms over salaries, benefits, the right of union members to maintain and repair truck chassis used to haul shipping containers, and health care.

“The Toy Industry Association (TIA) is relieved to hear that a deal has been reached to end the standoff at the ports, and we are thankful that the administration stepped in to help broker a deal,” says Carter Keithley, TIA President and CEO. “While we are aware that the port congestion will not be cleared up overnight, this deal is a big step towards bringing the toy industry some degree of relief.”

While the deal is subject to ratification by both parties, the ports have resumed full operations.

“We congratulate the ILWU and PMA for finally coming to agreement on a new labor contract,” says Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation. “It is now time for the parties to quickly ratify the deal and immediately focus on clearing out the crisis-level congestion and backlog at the ports.”

According to The Wall Street Journal, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka estimated that it could take eight weeks to get the port back to normal, while other logistics professionals have said it could take up to six months.

About the author

Phil Guie

Phil Guie

Phil Guie is an associate editor at Adventure Publishing Group. He writes and edits articles for The Toy Book and The Licensing Book. Phil also serves as lead editor for The Toy Book Blog and The Toy Report newsletter, and manages social media for The Toy Book. But of course, Phil’s pride and joy are his weekly reviews for The Toy Insider, in which he writes about video games, movies, and other cool things. His hobbies include comics, baking, fidgeting, and traveling to off-the-beaten places and making new friends.

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