The Pacific Maritime Association announced on February 11 it will halt vessel operations at U.S. West Coast ports in the next four days as its dispute with the dockworkers’ union, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), drags on.
“In light of ongoing and costly ILWU slowdowns, PMA members will temporarily suspend premium-pay weekend and holiday vessel operations on four upcoming dates, while yard, gate and rail operations will continue at terminal operators’ discretion. In Southern California, terminal operators will expand daytime vessel operations on non-holiday weekdays,” PMA said in an official release.
The four dates of suspended vessel operations are Thursday, February 12 (Lincoln’s Birthday); Saturday, February 14; Sunday, February 15; and Monday, February 16 (Washington’s Birthday).
“Weekend and holiday pay rates command a premium of at least 50% of the basic longshore wage rate. As a result, working hours on those days would be paid at between $54 and $75 per hour for longshore workers and clerks, and between $77 and $92 per hour for foremen,” said PMA, an employer association of about 70 shipping companies including Maersk Line, Evergreen Marine, Hanjin Shipping, ICTSI, NYK Line, OOCL, and COSCO.
“PMA members have concluded that they will not conduct vessel operations on those dates, paying full shifts of ILWU workers such high rates for severely diminished productivity while the backlog of cargo at West Coast ports grows,” it stated further.
Divisive ploy, says ILWU
In a video release dated February 11 and addressed to ILWU members, union president Robert McEllrath said the suspension of vessel operations on those dates by management is “part of their tactics to divide us.” He then urged the workers to “stay strong, stay united” as the only way to “win this battle.”
Port operators have been at loggerheads with their workers for months now over work contract terms, with each side accusing the other of instigating and prolonging the strife.
Photo: Walter Siegmund
