San Francisco, CA (March 6, 2020)—The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) issued the following joint statement today in response to the impact of the spread of the coronavirus on dockworkers and operations at West Coast port terminals:
West Coast ports are the leading gateway for the movement of cargo from Asia to the United States. Over the past six weeks, operations at the ports have been increasingly impacted by the reduction of cargo flow from Asia as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
The ILWU and PMA are working cooperatively and maintaining close communication with the relevant federal, state, and local government agencies as this situation continues to unfold. This includes the United States Coast Guard, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, local port authorities, and city governments.
Our goal is to work cooperatively to ensure worker safety, keep cargo flowing and share credible and timely information that is relevant to ILWU, dockworkers, PMA members, shippers, local communities, and other stakeholders who rely on West Coast ports.
Recently, the PMA issued a Safety Bulletin to its member companies regarding precautionary measures for dockworkers to take at West Coast terminals. Conversations with government authorities are also taking place on the topic of handling baggage and other cargo movement related to cruise operations.
As has been widely reported, cargo imports from Asia have fallen significantly over the past month, with work for ILWU members being reduced up and down the coast. According to the most recent figures released by PMA, year-to-date work shifts at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach – the nation’s largest port complex – have declined.
The ILWU and PMA will issue updates as necessary. Our goal is to ensure worker safety and productive terminal operations at West Coast ports.