100 shipper groups write to Obama seeking west coast action

AN open letter from 100 shipper, forwarder and transport associations to President Barack Obama has urged him to intervene in growing west coast waterfront labour disruption.

　　Talks between the employers' bargaining unit, the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), appear close to a break down over dockside automation as longshoremen's go-slow campaigns begin.

　　"The sudden change in tone is alarming and suggests that a full shutdown of every west coast port may be imminent," the letter said.

　　"The impact this would have on jobs, down-stream consumers, and the business operations of exporters, importers, retailers, transportation providers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders would be catastrophic.

　　"We believe immediate action is necessary and the federal government's use of all of its available options would be helpful in heading off a shut-down and keeping the parties at the negotiating table," said the customers' coalition letter.

　　"It took half a year for the ports to clear the backlog and recover from this 10-day shut down. A shutdown now could be even more costly," the coalition warned.

　　The letter also encouraged all to work with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, pointing out that it had played a role in resolving differences on the east and Gulf coast ports last year.

　　"It took half a year for the ports to clear the backlog and recover from this 10-day shut down. A shutdown now could be even more costly," the coalition warned.