June 10 (Reuters) – The Pacific Maritime Affiliation (PMA), which represents terminal operators, stated in a tweet on Saturday that coordinated and disruptive work actions led by the Worldwide Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have shut down cargo operations on the Port of Seattle.
“On the primary shift at the moment, the ILWU refused to dispatch any longshore staff to container terminals, the PMA stated, ensuing within the shutdown of the port.
The ILWU, nonetheless, stated that the West Coast ports are open and accused the PMA of “leveraging one-sided info to affect the method.”
“Regardless of what you’re listening to from PMA, West Coast ports are open as we proceed to work beneath our expired collective bargaining settlement,” stated ILWU Worldwide President Willie Adams.
Unions are looking for a pay improve that displays staff’ contribution to the ocean delivery trade’s document earnings from the pandemic cargo increase. In addition they need added compensation for the hours labored since their contract expired.
West Coast ports stretching from California to Washington state are essential to the U.S. provide chains and the economic system. Greater than 22,000 dockworkers at these commerce gateways have been working with out a contract since July.
The biggest U.S. enterprise group on Friday urged President Joe Biden to intervene instantly and appoint an impartial mediator to deal with a protracted West Coast ports labor dispute.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Suzanne Clark in a letter to Biden cited “continued and doubtlessly expanded service disruptions at these ports heading into peak delivery season.”
The Port of Seattle didn’t instantly reply to a Reuters request for remark.
Reporting by Gokul Pisharody in Bengaluru;
Enhancing by Diane Craft and Andrea Ricci
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