On February 11, 2015, in the midst of continued contract negotiations with the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU), the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) announced it would suspend all vessel operations on Thursday, 02/12; Saturday, 02/14; Sunday, 02/15; and Monday, 02/16, to avoid increased costs of weekend and holiday pay. Yard, gate, and rail operations will remain open at the terminal operator’s discretion, and daytime vessel operations are expected to be increased on non-holiday weekdays.  
 
According to the Journal of Commerce, “PMA last week announced what it said was an “all-in” contract offer that employers said would raise ILWU wages by 14 percent over five years, atop current average full-time wages of $147,000 per year; maintain fully employer-paid health care, and increase the ILWU pension to as much as $88,800 per year.”
 
Furthermore, the PMA suggested the implementation of a pay guarantee program, under which workers would be compensated for 40 hours per week, even if sufficient work is not available. However, the ILWU “accused the PMA of mischaracterizing the ILWU's bargaining position. The union said longshore workers' straight-time pay ranges from $26 to $41 an hour, with "excellent benefits," but that the work is hazardous, that most dockworkers are unable to work a full 2,000 hours in a normal work year, and that "the typical pay for an experienced longshore worker is $83,000."
 
Expeditors will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they occur. For specific questions and concerns contact your local Expeditors office.
 
The press release can be accessed here