West Coast seaport employers on Monday criticized worker absences, which they said were slowing work at some of the nation's busiest ports, as unions press for a bigger share of record profits reaped when cargo shipments surged during the pandemic.
West Coast ports stretching from California to Washington state are critical to U.S. supply chains and the nation's economy. Some 22,000 workers at those trade gateways have been without a contract since July and talks - now covering the last outstanding issues - have entered their 13th month.
The Pacific Maritime Association , representing terminal operators with ties to the shipping companies that enjoyed a hefty financial windfall from COVID-19, said port operations in Los Angeles, Long Beach and Seattle on Sunday suffered disruptions due to labor shortages. Weekend operations at many U.S. seaports are limited, seaport operators said. Still, several have confirmed that worker absences have slowed or stopped work during the talks. For example, ships have been delayed at berth at the No. 1 U.S. container gateway at Los Angeles/Long Beach, due to a lack of "lashers" who secure and unlock containers onboard vessels.
The unions are not officially striking or slowing during talks, but one LA union local recently said its members "had taken it upon themselves to voice their displeasure" after feeling snubbed by employers. Labor actions and complaints about their impact are not uncommon in the last stages of negotiations as each side looks for leverage. Meanwhile,
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