Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su: “Collective bargaining — though sometimes difficult — works.”
Noting the function performed by Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su, the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union yesterday introduced a tentative settlement on a brand new six-year contract protecting employees in any respect 29 West Coast ports.
The events say that they won’t be releasing particulars of the settlement presently and that it’s topic to ratification by each events.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that recognizes the heroic efforts and personal sacrifices of the ILWU workforce in keeping our ports operating,” stated PMA President James McKenna and ILWU President Willie Adams in a joint assertion. “We are also pleased to turn our full attention back to the operation of the West Coast ports.”
Acting Secretary of Labor Su launched the next assertion:
“This afternoon, the leaders of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association reached a tentative settlement protecting 22,000 employees and 29 West Coast ports, demonstrating as soon as once more that collective bargaining — although typically troublesome — works.
“Thanks to the hard work and perseverance of the leadership of the ILWU and the PMA, the tentative agreement delivers important stability for workers, for employers and for our country’s supply chain. This important milestone is welcome news to all, and on behalf of President Biden, we are pleased to congratulate both parties on what they have achieved.”
Su is well-known to either side within the West Coast ports dispute, previous to becoming a member of the U.S. Department of Labor, she served because the secretary for the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency and, previous to that, served as California labor commissioner from 2011 via 2018.
She has been named one of many 50 most noteworthy ladies alumni of Harvard Law School and one of many 100 most influential individuals in Los Angeles in Los Angeles Magazine.
WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT
In a White House statement, President Biden stated:
“As I’ve all the time stated, collective bargaining works, and I congratulate each events on the ports for reaching an settlement. I wish to thank Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su who used her deep expertise and judgment to maintain the events speaking, working with them to achieve an settlement after a protracted and typically acrimonious negotiation. Above all I congratulate the port employees, who’ve served heroically via the pandemic and the numerous challenges it introduced, and can lastly get the pay, advantages, and high quality of life they deserve.
“Julie Su has proven herself time and time again, both as Deputy Secretary working closely with Secretary Marty Walsh – and now as a leader who helped assure that our supply chains remain strong for America’s businesses, farmers, and working families.”
NRF URGES RAPID RATIFICATION
The tentative settlement got here after the events had been in negotiations because the labor contract initially expired in July 2022. and towards a backdrop of rising sporadic disruptions at some terminals. The National Retail Federation (NRF) had warned that extra disruptions would power retailers and different essential transport companions to proceed to shift cargo away from the West Coast ports.
“The West Coast ports are a critical artery for retailers and other businesses into the U.S. market,” stated NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay in welcoming yesterday’s information. “We urge the parties to quickly ratify the tentative agreement to bring certainty back to the West Coast ports. It is essential to begin the negotiation process early for the next labor contract and avoid a future lapse in continuity.”
