SAN FRANCISCO >> Representatives of about 10,500 dockworkers at U.S. West Coast ports approved a contract that ended a labor dispute last month. The contract still needs to be ratified by all of the union's members. West Coast longshore
contract clears hurdleA union caucus OKs the agreement
By Edvard Pettersson
Bloomberg NewsThe union caucus, which includes members from ports in California, Oregon and Washington, approved the six-year contract by a margin of 92 percent, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union said. Members will vote on the contract in the week of Jan. 6 through Jan. 13, union spokesman Steve Stallone said on a conference call.
"This is the richest contract in ILWU history," Stallone said. "Our primary concern was the maintenance of our health- benefit packages, the cost of which to the employers will more than double over the six years of the contract."
Union negotiators and representatives of the companies that operate the ports reached agreement on the contract last month. Union members are expected to vote on the contract next month.
The contract will give dockworkers pay raises of about 10 percent to 11 percent over six years, Stallone said. Pension benefits will increase over six years to $150 a month for each year worked, from $95 a month currently, he said. The union won increases for retired workers and widows, Stallone said.
The terminal operators and cargo carriers that employ longshoremen will be able to use more computers, scanners and other labor-saving equipment at the docks under the new contract. No currently employed union member will lose a job as a result of the changes, Stallone said.
The Pacific Maritime Association, the employers group that negotiated on behalf of the port operators, was pleased the caucus recommended union workers ratify the contract, it said in a statement.
Pacific Maritime Association
International Longshore and Warehouse Union
