Discussions between the West Coast Ports Operators and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, in progress for over a year has resulted in agreement on issues including healthcare benefits and local issues at specific ports. Introduction of automation has apparently been resolved but wages and pensions and the duration of the labor contract are still under negotiation. Employers are seeking a six-year contract, while the Union prefers a two-year agreement. The most recent labor agreement expired in July 2022 resulting in 22,000 dock- workers from southern California to northern Washington State working without an agreement.
A May 12th article in EGG-NEWS reported on attempts to improve efficiency through computerization and harmonization of information systems among five major ports. A sense of urgency has been injected into the labor negotiations by the realization that importers are moving cargos to Gulf and East Coast ports that are less congested, have undergone upgrades and in many cases are closer to the eventual markets for imports.
Acceptance of an agreement between port operators and the ILWU will resolve uncertainty and benefit West Coast agriculture reliant on efficient operation and the availability of containers to export product to Asia.