SAN FRANCISCO (BRAIN) — If it seems as if the West Coast freight situation could not get any worse, Pacific Maritime Association announced that it was shutting down ports Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, days when the PMA would have to pay holiday or weekend wages.
The PMA closed West Coast ports last weekend, and canceled a negotiating session scheduled for Wednesday with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). It has been more than a week since the two parties met. The PMA has also reduced staffing at ports during the night shift. The Pacific Maritime Association negotiates and administers maritime labor agreements between port owners and the ILWU.
"This is an effort by the employers to put economic pressure on our members and to gain leverage in contract talks," said ILWU President Robert McEllrath in a Union press release. "The Union is standing by ready to negotiate, as we have been for the past several days."
Suppliers said that before the ports were shut freight was arriving three to six weeks behind schedule. The recent port closures will add to the delay.
