EVERETT — The tense labor relations that have slowed work in recent weeks at many West Coast ports have not affected Everett’s waterfront, according to port officials.
“Frankly, we have seen some slowdowns, but it hasn’t affected any cargo releases, deliveries or ship sailings,” said Lisa Lefeber, spokeswoman for the Port of Everett.
That is in contrast to the Seattle and Tacoma waterfronts, where containers of fruit and other goods have been backed up and shippers and terminal owners have sent dock workers home early, accusing them of intentionally dragging their feet.
The workers are members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which since May has been in contract negotiations with a shippers and terminal owners’ group, the Pacific Maritime Association.
Their six-year contract expired in July, but most of its provisions stay in effect until a new agreement is reached. However, since the contract expired, union members can now strike, and employers can lock them out.
The ILWU has not gone on strike for several decades. PMA members locked out workers for 11 days in 2002, before the federal government forced the West Coast ports to reopen.
Officials with ILWU local chapters did not respond to requests for comment.
An official with the union’s headquarters in San Francisco rejected the PMA’s accusations that workers are intentionally working slowly to pressure employers at the negotiating table.
“They’re frustrated” that a deal hasn’t been worked out after six months of contract talks, said Craig Merrilees, ILWU spokesman.
In recent weeks, negotiations have continued through weekends and on Veterans Day, he said. “There’s nothing remaining that can’t be resolved without the commitment to get things finished.”
The PMA, which also is based in San Francisco, agrees.
“We have to stay at the table and work out an agreement,” PMA spokesman Wade Gates said.
The PMA represents employers in 29 ports from Washington to California. Its contract with the ILWU covers about 20,000 workers, including about 13,600 registered union members and another 6,400 so-called casual workers.
Fewer than 50 longshoremen work at the Port of Everett, which had 149 ships and barges call during the first 10 months of the year.
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