US labor chief urges quick deal in West Coast port dispute
Source: AP
By JUSTIN PRITCHARD
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The nation's top labor official is bringing a clear message to dockworkers and their employers amid a contract dispute that has crippled international trade through West Coast seaports: Reach a deal — and fast.
U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez held what his office characterized as "positive and productive meetings" Tuesday with both the dockworkers union and the maritime association representing companies that own, load and unload massive ships laden with U.S. exports and imports from Asia.
It was his first full day in San Francisco, which is home to both the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and Pacific Maritime Association, representing shipping lines that carry cargo and port terminal operators that handle it once ships dock. Perez renewed his efforts Wednesday, with political and economic pressure rising to get a contract and free cargo bottlenecks at 29 ports that handle about $1 trillion of trade annually.
As contract talks have stalled, so too has the flow of trade. Dozens of ships are anchored off Southern California, in San Francisco Bay and in Washington's Puget Sound. They are waiting for dock space that is taking weeks to free up due to employers locking out workers or work slowdowns alleged by the companies.
FULL story at link.
Loaded container trucks line-up at a gate at the Port of Seattle Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, in Seattle.
Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/3f897fdb0c92418cac9bda49c510d9fa/us-labor-official-sides-seaport-dispute-reach-deal
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