WEST COAST, U.S. - Labor issues in California grew increasingly complicated over the course of the previous few days, with a set of the independent truck drivers who service the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach going on strike in protest of the actions of the trucking firms operating out of the ports. Although the number of strikers represent only a minority of the workforce which services the southwestern ports, any spread of the labor actions could have a dramatic effect on U.S. trade as the LA and Long Beach locations are key to America's import trade with Asia.
Looking to soothe worried onlookers, Port of Los Angeles spokesperson Phillip Sanfield said that the strikes would have a “minimal impact” on the Port's operations.
“There have been a handful of informational protesters at two Port of Los Angeles container terminals, but there has not been a disruption in cargo operations,” the port statement said. “Two cargo container terminals have elected to close their gates for reasons unrelated to the truck driver labor dispute. Ships continue to be worked at those terminals. Los Angeles Port Police continue to monitor activities at Port of Los Angeles container terminals.”
Reporting done by Roll Call suggested that a key player in this ongoing situation could be the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), who could face the tough decision of whether or not to honor the picket lines if the strike continues. According to ILWU spokesman Craig Merrilees, that is “a hypothetical that I’m steering clear of for now...[we] will deal with this when and if it happens.”
As AndNowUKnow reported in an earlier article, the ILWU is currently in the midst of a labor dispute of its own. These workers have been engaged in talks with the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) since their labor contract expired at the beginning of this month. Talks between the two parties seemed to have been going well, although there were still issues to settle before any agreement could be reached.
Due to an unrelated dispute between northwestern dock workers and the grain terminals in Vancouver and Portland however, these talks have had to be temporarily tabled. According to The Columbian, during the 3 days which the ILWU will need to settle the grain terminal dispute, the former contract between the PMA and the ILWU will be reinstated so as to keep America's western ports in service.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for any updates on this ongoing situation.
