Steel Mills
Trade Groups Urge Biden to Help West Coast Port Labor Negotiations
Written by Laura Miller
March 31, 2023
A coalition of trade groups is urging President Joe Biden to help with the ongoing West Coast port labor negotiations.
Negotiations for a long-term labor agreement between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles have been ongoing for more than 10 months with no end in sight. Workers at the ports have been without a contract since expiration of the previous one in July.
In March, a group of more than 200 trade associations signed on to a letter to Biden, saying “It is imperative that the administration work with the parties to quickly reach a new agreement and ensure there is no disruption to port operations and cargo fluidity.”
“The only way the parties can reach an agreement that will ensure the continued competitiveness of the ports and the supply chain stakeholders who rely upon them is to remain at the table until a new agreement is finalized,” the letter stated.
Among those signing the letter were the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC); national and state trucking, rail, and manufacturing associations; and various supply chain, retail, and other trade associations.
The letter noted that shipping decisions for this summer’s peak shipping season have already been made. Cargo volumes are down as flows have already shifted away from the West Coast due to the uncertainty of the labor situation. Despite the lower cargo volumes, supply chain stresses and challenges remain.
“While we appreciate that the parties agreed not to engage in a strike or a lockout, we are aware of several instances of activities that have impacted terminal operations. We need the administration to ensure these activities do not continue or escalate,” the associations said.
By Laura Miller, laura@steelmarketupdate.com
Laura Miller
Read more from Laura MillerLatest in Steel Mills
U.S. Steel sues Algoma over iron pellet shipments
U.S. Steel is suing Algoma over the Canadian flat-rolled producer's rejection of iron pellet shipments, arguing it has breached its contract.
August US mill shipments slip but still higher than last year
The American Iron and Steel Institute reported a decline in the monthly shipments of US mills from July to August.
TransPod, Algoma, Supreme Steel linkup anchors Canadian steel in high-speed transit build
The three Canadian companies have announced a strategic partnership to support the development of an ultra-high-speed transit line from Edmonton to Calgary.
Metallus, USW agree to tentative four-year labor deal
Metallus and the United Steelworkers (USW) have agreed to a tentative four-year labor contract.
ArcelorMittal Dofasco resumes cokemaking after emergency maintenance
The Canadian steelmaker reported on Sept. 30 that “urgent maintenance” was needed in its coke plant off-gas systems. The work required coke oven gas from the No. 2 coke plant to be flared for most of that week.