On Wednesday, June 14, Maritime employers and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union announced that, subject to ratification by both parties, a tentative agreement has been reached for a six-year contract that covers the entirety of US West Coast ports.
Thirteen months of contentious negotiations forced many volumes of cargo to divert to the East and Gulf coasts, leading to a mutual uncertainty regarding the reliability of West Coast labor.
Though the details of the agreement have not been released, both parties are confident that the agreement will lead to more stability for workers, employers, and the country’s supply chain. The contract ratification processes normally takes at least one month.
We will continue to monitor the situation and keep our customers informed as more information is released.