Vice President, Transportation, Infrastructure, and Supply Chain Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
America’s seaports are critical gateways for goods entering and leaving the United States. Recent and ongoing work stoppages at our largest seaports along the West Coast are raising significant concerns among the business community that a large-scale work stoppage is imminent – and could be a devastating blow to America’s economy during “peak season” – when sea traffic entering our ports is at its highest.
On Friday, June 9 U.S. Chamber President and CEO Suzanne Clark sent a letter to President Biden urging the administration to intervene immediately in the West Coast port negotiations by appointing an independent mediator to help the two parties reach an agreement that prevents significant economic harm to U.S. families and the economy.
Right now, 29 West Coast ports and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), who represent approximately 15,500 dockworkers, are in the final stages of negotiating a new labor contract that covers everything from pay to operational work rules.
The West Coast ports – which include the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Seattle-Tacoma, and Oakland – are critical economic gateways and are responsible for over 50 percent of all U.S. imports. Essential to the operation of these ports are the dockworkers – the men and women responsible for loading and unloading ocean vessels at these ports.
ILWU workers and the...
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