© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: An aerial photograph wanting north reveals delivery containers on the Port of Seattle and the Elliott Bay waterfront in Seattle, Washington, U.S. March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson/File Photograph
(Reuters) – The Pacific Maritime Affiliation (PMA) stated in a tweet on Saturday that coordinated and disruptive work actions led by the Worldwide Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have shut down cargo operations on the Port of Seattle.
“On the primary shift at this time, the ILWU refused to dispatch any longshore employees to container terminals, the PMA stated, ensuing within the shutdown of the port.
The Port of Seattle and ILWU didn’t instantly reply to a Reuters request for remark.
The PMA stated there have been work slowdowns within the second and third shifts on Friday directed by ILWU officers which introduced floor operations at marine terminals to a halt and resulted in longshore employees being despatched dwelling.
Unions are in search of a pay improve that displays employees’ contribution to the ocean delivery business’s file income from the pandemic cargo increase. Additionally they need added compensation for the hours labored since their contract expired.
West Coast ports stretching from California to Washington state are essential to the U.S. provide chains and the financial system. Greater than 22,000 dockworkers at these commerce gateways have been working with no contract since July.
The biggest U.S. enterprise group on Friday urged President Joe Biden to intervene instantly and appoint an unbiased mediator to handle a protracted West Coast ports labor dispute.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Suzanne Clark in a letter to Biden cited “continued and probably expanded service disruptions at these ports heading into peak delivery season.”
