Labor chief applauds union for ratifying port deal

Labor Secretary Tom Perez applauded leaders of the union that represents dockworkers at West Coast ports on Friday for moving to ratify a deal he helped broker to resolve a labor standoff that was crippling the flow of cargo earlier this year. 

“With their vote to recommend ratification of the contract between shippers and dockworkers at the West Coast ports, leaders of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have taken an important step toward finalizing the agreement,” Perez said in a statement. “I am optimistic that the rank and file membership will recognize the contract as a fair resolution, and will vote to approve the contract.” 

Perez was sent to California in February by President Obama to mediate stalled negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which represents dock workers, and managers of 29 ports on the West Coast that were shut down around Valentine’s Day because of labor strife. 

The contract between the port operators and the ILWU that was supposed to have been renewed in July 2014, but negotiations dragged on for months and the standoff resulted in several large cargo ships idling at sea. 

Perez said Friday that congestion at the ports has been greatly reduced since the deal he helped broker was announced in February.

“Since the parties reached the tentative deal in February, congestion at the ports has eased considerably as the shippers and dockworkers have worked together to restore full operations at the 29 West Coast ports,” he said. 

“Continued economic growth and job creation depends on dynamic, fully functioning ports, so moving forward, restoring confidence in the ports must be a priority for all stakeholders,” Perez continued. “The port operators and dockworkers must work together to demonstrate that the West Coast ports can be among the most efficient and effective ports in the world. I am confident in their commitment to that shared goal, and I applaud their willingness to put an end to their dispute and move forward together.”