The labor contract governing port operations on the entire west coast is set to expire on July 1, 2022.
Early last month, the ILWU met to discuss their strategy for negotiations. Automation is expected to be the main point of contention.
In past negotiations, concessions were made in exchange for automation. The ILWU is likely going to want to walk back the concessions they made, but the PMA does not seem interested in going backwards.
That being said, both sides are acutely aware any disruptions will draw the ire of the Biden Administration as well as the public at large. After all, everyone knows what the supply chain is now.