The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), comprising employers of 22,000 dockworkers at US West Coast ports, recently reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year contract covering all 29 ports in that coast, putting an end to negotiations over 13 months and allaying concerns regarding supply chain disruptions.

The deal was reached with assistance from acting US secretary of labour Julie Su. The parties decided not to release details of the agreement now, both said in a joint press release.

The agreement is subject to ratification by both parties.

"The tentative agreement delivers important stability for workers, for employers and for our country's supply chain," Su said in a statement.

"The tentative agreement between the ILWU and the PMA brings the stability and confidence that customers have been seeking," Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka tweeted.

The earlier contract between the two sides expired on July 1 last year. Port workers have been working without a contract since then.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

More Textiles News - United States Of America...

6-year contract in ILWU-PMA tentative deal covers US West Coast ports

Insights