West coast dock talks become testy as go-slows move south to LA

US WEST coast port docker contract negotiations are continuing despite accusations of bad faith on both sides, reports Lloyd's List.

The employers of the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) said that contrary to promises of upholding "normal work practices" during the talks the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) has engaged go-slows.

It started in Seattle and Tacoma in the Pacific Northwest, and has since spread south to LA and Long Beach in the form of the union refusing to supply crane operators to keep highly congested San Pedro ports' cargo moving.

While ILWU denies engaging in such tactics, attributing the congestion to the lack of chassis and drivers, the union also denies making any promise to abide by "normal work practices" because the union and management disagree what they are.

The PMA said that on short notice, the union said it would not dispatch qualified ILWU members operate yard cranes.

But ILWU spokesman Craig Merrilees said: "The numerous, non-labour related causes of the congestion problem up and down the west coast are well documented. The union has expressed concerns about [the PMA's] deceitful media tactics and the corrosive impact of such tactics on collective bargaining."

Said PMA spokesman Wade Gates: "We£ue used the same dispatch procedure since 1999. After 15 years, the ILWU decides to change the rules at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports."

While this is the height of the peak system on the west coast, it will soon pass, and with it, the bargaining strength of the union as the world shipping community enters into the winter slack season and has less need of dockers.