San Francisco: Officials from the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) announced today an agreement to drop pending litigation over work stoppages that occurred in Oakland during October of 1997 over the Neptune Jade vessel. This agreement demonstrates the commitment of both organizations to create a more unified West Coast waterfront, and comes six months before negotiations are expected to get underway for a new coastwide employment contract that encompasses every port located on the West Coast of the United States.
The ILWU and the PMA have agreed to work together to address the important issues facing the maritime industry. Speaking on behalf of the union, Brian McWilliams, ILWU International President, said "This is a gesture of conciliation that will go a long way towards making the upcoming negotiations fruitful"
"This is a positive step towards creating the kind of union/management cooperation that will keep our West Coast ports competitive, " said Joseph Miniace,President and CEO of the PMA.
The current ILWU-PMA labor agreement, which covers longshore at ports in California, Oregon and Washington, expires on July 1, 1999. Both organizations are expressing the importance of successful negotiations and continued cargo movement at West Coast docks.
The two groups are building on this spirit of cooperation to make West Coast ports more competitive in the 21st century. A committee, comprised of officials from PMA and ILWU, is currently studying how technology is being used in other ports around the world.
"The goals of this committee is to see what other ports are doing and how we can improve our ports by exploring available technology," said Phil Resch, Senior Vice President of PMA Operations.
"I am hopeful that this spirit of working together will spread up and down the West Coast and carry us through the next contract negotiations," said Mr Miniace.
"Despite this helpful contribution by PMA, we will stay alert and will support the ILWU in case President Brian McWilliams asks us for International Solidarity," said ITF Dockers' Section Secretary Kees Marges.
