Positive news on labor negotiations front. Last week the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) announced they had reached a tentative agreement on health benefits.
While that approval is a good sign, we continue to wait on pins and needles for agreements on wages and automation, both of which are sensitive subjects given inflation and job security concerns.
The current labor contract covering 22,000 workers at the 29 west coast ports expired July 1st. Both sides continue to negotiate in good faith. It has been reported an agreement will be reached in August or September.
We shall keep our fingers crossed.