Labor issues affect West Coast port operations

June 6, 2023

Two of six terminals at the Port of Long Beach were closed yesterday as dockworkers represented by the International Longshoremen and Warehouse Union took actions that slow operations. The union and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) have been engaged in labor negotiations since May 10, 2022. “The ILWU’s coast-wide work actions since June 2 are forcing retailers, manufacturers and other shippers to ship cargo away from the West Coast in favor of ports on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Much of the diverted cargo may never return to the West Coast,” the PMA said.

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