Longshore contract with West Coast ports expires, sides say they will keep talking

Longshore contract with West Coast ports expires, sides say they will keep talking

Longshore workers at West Coast ports, including Portland, are working without a contract, as the old one expired Tuesday afternoon.

While shippers have expressed fears about a potential work stoppage, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association, a coalition of port operators, issued a joint statement Tuesday afternoon vowing to keep the ports operating normally.

“Cargo will keep moving, and normal operations will continue at the ports until an agreement can be reached,” the two sides said. “Both sides understand the strategic importance of the ports to the local, regional and US economies, and are mindful of the need to finalize a new coast-wide contract as soon as possible.”

For a copy of the full release, click here.