Potential U.S. West Coast Port Strikes - Update

Last month, Allyn published an article about the threat of a possible strike in West Coast ports in lieu of the July 1st expiration date for the contract between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association. Hopes are high that the strike will be avoided, but negotiations still continue with only a week to spare.
The parties involved–shippers, shipping lines, logistics service providers, and importers—have done all they can do to prepare for the worst case scenario.

The negotiations, currently taking place in San Francisco, will ultimately show if an agreement will be reached without disruptions at the West Coast ports. No ILWU negotiation in recent history has been without conflict, but some in the industry hope that the serious implications faced if this strike were to happen are enough to persuade the West Coast ports and the ILWU to continue to move cargo regardless of the status of the pending agreement.

The closer we get to the expiration of the current contract, the higher the risk of disturbance. While the international transportation community would certainly appreciate more details on what the current expectations are, the Pacific Maritime Association and ILWU are keeping a tight lid on information about the discussions, only assuring that negotiations are being led in a positive tone.

As a logistics service provider, Allyn is prepared to seek out options to help minimize the impact this may have on its clients and their customers. If this possible strike could be a challenge for your company as well, consider contacting the Allyn Logistics Sourcing Group (AllynLogistcsConsulting@allynintl.com) for assistance on this or any other transport needs.

Contributors: Natalie Gonzalez Brandlova
 

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