Labor talks for Los Angeles ports draw attention amid bitter lockout memories

[Omaha Steve]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/28/content_7871797.htm

2008-03-28 05:11:05

LOS ANGELES, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of trading companies and other port users are paying close attention to labor talks for two Los Angeles area ports as union officials and port management began their effort to avoid a deadlock like the one six years ago.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association have returned to the bargaining table to hammer out a new labor agreement for 25,000 dockworkers and marine clerks at the Los Angeles port and the nearby Long Beach port, sources here said Thursday.

The two sides began talks last week in San Francisco, almost four months before the six-year contract expires and much earlier than usual. Officials said they hope to reach an agreement before the July 1 deadline and avoid any work stoppage.

A spokesman of the port workers' union acknowledged that the talks could prove difficult, but said the union plans to hold its ground and fight for the workers.

"The union is concerned about making sure that good jobs are available in the port communities," said spokesman Craig Merrilees.

He said that both sides are working hard to avoid the mistake that management made in 2002 when they shut down the ports and locked out the workers. The 10-day worker lockout that paralyzed the U.S. West Coast's 29 ports cost the country's economy over 10 billion dollars.

FULL story at link.