West Coast port operators halt ship work over weekend
The Pacific Maritime Association suspends weekend vessel operations at all 29 ports along the West Coast.
By Coral Garnick
Seattle Times
February 6, 2015
For the second time this week, terminal operators controlling the West Coast ports have raised the stakes in contract negotiations with their dockworkers.
On Friday, the Pacific Maritime Assocation (PMA) said it would suspend weekend vessel operations at all 29 ports along the West Coast.
“After three months of union slowdowns, it makes no sense to pay extra for less work,” PMA spokesman Wade Gates said in a statement. “Especially if there is no end in sight to the union’s actions, which needlessly brought West Coast ports to the brink of gridlock.”
The association, which represents terminal operators and shipping lines at West Coast ports, is halting all vessel loading and unloading. Yard, rail and gate operations, which include processing containers for truck and rail delivery to customers, will be allowed to continue at the terminal operators’ discretion, according to the release.
Vessel operations are scheduled to resume Monday. As of Friday, the Port of Seattle had five vessels at berth and two at anchor. The Port of Tacoma had seven docked and another seven at anchor.
The Rest…HERE
