Tentative Agreement Reached at West Coast Ports

June 16, 2023 | The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) announced a tentative agreement for a new six-year contract covering more than 22,000 workers at all 29 West Coast ports. The Toy Association has been closely monitoring the situation and urged the Biden Administration to intervene for both sides to come to a quick resolution.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that recognizes the heroic efforts and personal sacrifices of the ILWU workforce in keeping our ports operating,” said PMA President James McKenna and ILWU President Willie Adams in a joint statement. “We are also pleased to turn our full attention back to the operation of the West Coast ports.”

The deal was reached in San Francisco with assistance from Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su. The agreement is subject to ratification by both parties, and if approved, will be retroactive to July 1, 2022 and will be effective through 2028. The ILWU received a 32 percent wage increase over the next six years and a $70 million bonus for dockworkers who worked through the pandemic, according to the Journal of Commerce.

“Thanks to the hard work and perseverance of the leadership of the ILWU and the PMA, the tentative agreement delivers important stability for workers, for employers and for our country’s supply chain,” Acting Secretary Su said in a statement. “This important milestone is welcome news to all, and on behalf of President Biden, we are pleased to congratulate both parties on what they have achieved.”

Talks for the new labor agreement have been ongoing for 13 months, beginning in May 2022 in advance of the July 1, 2022 expiration date.