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The Pacific Maritime Association issued a statement Monday that revealed more details of West Coast port contract talks, in a move likely designed to put pressure on the International Longshore and Warehouse Union to accept the proffered deal for dockworkers at 29 West Coast ports.
The PMA said the union wants the right to fire the arbitrators who typically step in if there is a dispute after a contract is agreed upon.
Four arbitrators act as independent third parties in disputes between port operators and local unions. When a contract is in place, and a disagreement occurs, the two sides meet with an arbitrator and lay out their respective cases, and both sides must accept the arbitrator’s decision.
Usually, the mediators can only be removed by mutual consent of both parties. PMA officials say the union wants to change the rule so that one party can veto an arbitrator.
"The ILWU is essentially seeking the right to fire judges who rule against them," said PMA spokesman Wade Gates. "The waterfront arbitration system is an essential check-and-balance against illegal labor actions. It would be reckless to allow a single party to change the rules as the union desires."
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Craig Merrilees of the ILWU called the association's assertion "totally inaccurate."
"It is irresponsible for them to make these kind of misleading statements," Merrilees said.
Reuters reports that once a settlement is reached, it will take six to eight weeks to clear out the immediate backlog at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and possibly a few months more to restore freight traffic to normal, port representatives said.
West Coast contract talks are scheduled to resume on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
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