LOS ANGELES, CA – Federal mediators have offered to assist in negotiations to resolve the labor dispute between longshoremen and shipping lines that has disrupted movement of goods through West Coast ports.
The Associated Press reports that the U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service announced yesterday that it would reach out promptly to both sides. No scheduled talks were immediately announced.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) asked for the mediators to help in negotiations after seven months of contract gridlock.
A spokesman for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) stated that its negotiators have not requested federal mediation, according to KPCC. At this stage, without an agreement from both sides, federal mediation cannot begin.
This news of potential federal mediation comes after U.S. Senators from California, Oregon and Washington urged leaders from the ILUW and the PMA to continue to work together toward a fair and amicable settlement.
The dockworkers have currently been working without a contract since July, while management and the union have been throwing public accusations at each other.
For now, it is unclear when talks, with the help of the mediators, will take place. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow this ongoing situation.
