Nov 30, 2022

Toy Association provides update on West Coast port labor negotiations

The Toy Association alerted members that West Coast longshore labor negotiations between the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) are unlikely to be resolved this year.

The talks are currently on hold over a jurisdictional dispute at a terminal in the Port of Seattle. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has fast-tracked a hearing to decide whether the ILWU or the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has jurisdiction over cold ironing at the T-5 terminal run by SSA Marine.

Meanwhile, cargo continues to be diverted to the East and Gulf Coast ports and Canada in anticipation that West Coast port disruptions amid the negotiations will worsen. Initial negotiations between the ILWU and PMA began in May before the previous contract expired on July 1.

The Toy Association’s Global Government & Regulatory Affairs team is engaged on the issue and is continually assessing potential member impacts from the situation. Members are encouraged to bookmark The Toy Association’s Shipping Crisis Resource Center for the latest updates.