THE International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) has requested to suspend contract negotiations with West Coast waterfront employers until June 1, reports IHS Media citing multiple sources close to the talks.
If granted, the talks will be halted starting on Friday.
The ilwu has not responded to many requests to comment and it's not immediately clear it would want to take a break from negotiations.
The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), which represents employers, referred queries to the ILWU.
However, a source with knowledge of the negotiations said little progress has been made since the talks began on May 10. The source added that the ILWU, at this point, appears to be in no rush to secure a new contract prior to the expiration of the current deal on July 1.
On its face, the move to suspend talks seems to be at odds with a joint statement from the ILWU and the PMA just days before the talks began in which both sides vowed to continue to negotiate 'on a daily basis in San Francisco until an agreement is reached.'
In past negotiations, the ILWU was keen to allow the existing contract to expire because the 'no strike' clause then becomes null and void unless both parties agree to extend the contract.
During 2002 contract negotiations, the ILWU began work slowdowns in the summer and the PMA responded with an employer lockout. In 2014, the ILWU began work slowdowns in Seattle in late October and then moved the job action quickly down the coast to Oakland and Southern California.
While the ILWU's strategy of trying to push the talks beyond the end of the expiring contract is intended to give it leverage in the negotiations, it may not work that way this year.
The Biden administration last fall established an office of port envoy, which has met virtually each week with stakeholders on the West Coast. A member of that task force said two months ago the White House made it clear to both employers and the union that work slowdowns or employer lockouts will not be tolerated this year.
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If granted, the talks will be halted starting on Friday.
The ilwu has not responded to many requests to comment and it's not immediately clear it would want to take a break from negotiations.
The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), which represents employers, referred queries to the ILWU.
However, a source with knowledge of the negotiations said little progress has been made since the talks began on May 10. The source added that the ILWU, at this point, appears to be in no rush to secure a new contract prior to the expiration of the current deal on July 1.
On its face, the move to suspend talks seems to be at odds with a joint statement from the ILWU and the PMA just days before the talks began in which both sides vowed to continue to negotiate 'on a daily basis in San Francisco until an agreement is reached.'
In past negotiations, the ILWU was keen to allow the existing contract to expire because the 'no strike' clause then becomes null and void unless both parties agree to extend the contract.
During 2002 contract negotiations, the ILWU began work slowdowns in the summer and the PMA responded with an employer lockout. In 2014, the ILWU began work slowdowns in Seattle in late October and then moved the job action quickly down the coast to Oakland and Southern California.
While the ILWU's strategy of trying to push the talks beyond the end of the expiring contract is intended to give it leverage in the negotiations, it may not work that way this year.
The Biden administration last fall established an office of port envoy, which has met virtually each week with stakeholders on the West Coast. A member of that task force said two months ago the White House made it clear to both employers and the union that work slowdowns or employer lockouts will not be tolerated this year.
SeaNews Turkey
