ILWU and PMA Speak on Contract Negotiations – Key Updates for Port Workers

Take this concrete step now: check the issued updates from ILWU and PMA, then convene your local bargaining team this week to map the last point of discussion and align on action there.

Both sides outline issues around wages, work rules, and benefits in the trade and shipping sectors, as negotiating teams on both sides refine proposals. The plan does reflect a balance between each party, and the issued summaries show what remains on the table and how it could affect port operations, schedules, and rosters in the days ahead.

There is language about threatened lockouts and the possibility of scab actions if negotiations stall. Work groups should prepare a contingency plan without overreacting, and monitor official communications to avoid misinterpretation during fast-moving talks. There is an emphasis on clear guidance from both sides to limit disruption there at the port.

during bargaining, keep a record of each claim and ensure your local lead negotiator has the facts. If a party advances a claim that changes shift patterns or shipping windows, verify the details and log them in your team notebook. Her ikisi de sides aim to protect operations and prevent disruption to shipping, so stay aligned and avoid unilateral actions. To stay on course, teams should stick to the agreed plan and reference the last issued update to guide decisions, without triggering pan ic.

As this process continues, stay engaged with your local reps, listen for updates issued in briefing emails, and align duties with the evolving bargaining timeline. By staying informed and involved, port workers keep traffic moving and reduce idle days while serving customers and communities.

ILWU and PMA say they are not preparing for a longshore strike or lockout

Plan with ongoing negotiations in mind and keep contingency options ready for shippers and ports, as ILWU and PMA say they are not preparing for a longshore strike or lockout.

• Stance and negotiations

  • ILWU said on Friday that talks with PMA are active; they are hopeful about a settlement and see no immediate plan for a strike or lockout.

  • The ILWU president and PMA leadership emphasize that volumes moving through west and east coast terminals remain steady while talks continue.

• Volumes, cargo, and signals

  • Reported data show volumes of grain and other commodities continuing to move, with back-up plans in place to address potential delays.

  • Diverted shipments have not occurred broadly, but shippers should monitor routes and coordinate with carriers to minimize risk.

  • A Friday video briefing from union officials clarified that negotiations focus on contract terms, with both sides seeking to avoid disruption.

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  • Shippers should confirm service levels with carriers weekly and coordinate with west and east coast ports to minimize transit times.

  • Members of ILWU and PMA should stay engaged with national and local leaders to prevent misunderstandings and keep the process transparent.

  • Carriers should maintain flexible schedules and have grain and other volumes ready for quick routing changes as talks progress.

Latest negotiation milestones and next steps

Set a firm deadline by the end of the month for a framework agreement and publish a clear milestone calendar to all local chapters. Require sign-off from both sides on each milestone to prevent drift and keep negotiations moving in good faith among them.

Reports from the negotiating teams point to progress on several topics, while a greater share of positions remains contentious on automation, shift control, and environmental protections. The news also shows continued outreach to port communities along the pacific and southern corridors to secure buy-in from front-line crews and local leadership.

Key milestones include a published draft framework, the formation of three cross-team working groups, and a pilot program for automation controls at two marine terminals. These steps reportedly aim to deliver measurable safety and productivity outcomes before any broader rollout.

Next steps focus on getting concrete schedules, metrics, and guardrails. Each party should confirm timelines, establish a shared dashboard, and set weekly briefings to align on progress. The teams should codify decisions on automation scope, control interfaces, and environmental safeguards, with clear provisions for job protections and training for affected workers.

On juneteenth, the parties emphasize fair process and workplace safety, signaling a shift toward greater cooperation even in previously contentious discussions. They plan to consolidate gains with a final round of talks, targeting a conditional agreement that can withstand routine port fluctuations.

Getting this moving requires disciplined communication and timely updates to every local group. If a milestone slips, the plan calls for contingency steps, including adjusted shift schedules and additional oversight, to keep them on track while keeping workers informed.

Core demands and concessions from ILWU and PMA

Recommendation: lock in a phased wage-and-benefits package tied to bargaining milestones, with a joint oversight group that reviews terms after every year. Until the review, keep existing pay scales, health coverage, and pensions secure, with both unions and the PMA committed to avoid disruptions at ports. Before any change takes effect, they must sign off, ensuring sure protections for longshore workers and stable operations, including smooth handling of grain and imports during peak periods.

ILWU core demand: safeguard job security during automation, secure defined-benefit pensions, and deliver wage growth in step with inflation. They push for annual wage bumps of about 3% in year 1 and roughly 2.5% in year 2, with full funding of health benefits and stable pension contributions. They require that automation projects include retraining programs that hire from the labor group, ensuring there is no forced displacement. They demand strict overtime rules and a no-drop in scheduling, while protecting grain and imports handling at national ports along the pacific corridor, particularly at the largest hubs, during peak shipments. They insist on enforceable productivity targets that reward safety and reliability without eroding longshore jobs.

PMA concessions focus on preserving port throughput and flexibility: deploy automation in a staged way with a robust retraining pipeline, and share productivity gains through a mix of base pay adjustments and targeted bonuses. They offer to cap mandatory overtime, expand shift options, and adjust work rules to keep ports efficient across national and pacific corridors. They commit to avoiding layoffs beyond what automation requires, with a joint impact study before large-scale changes. They propose keeping imports flowing smoothly and ensuring grain terminals operate reliably. They seek to align costs with volumes, so during downturns they can pause gains, and they welcome a three-year horizon to implement changes, with a midyear review to adjust terms.

How to reach agreement: establish a joint monitoring committee to track automation impact, scheduling, and safety, with quarterly reports and clear thresholds for adjustments. Set a formal two-year cycle with annual reviews to lock in major terms, and create a no-strike pledge during the bargaining window to reduce risk for ports. Tie any pay increases to measurable metrics like on-time cargo handling, safety incidents, and dwell times, so gains are shared fairly. The plan keeps the largest ports in the pacific region aligned with imports and grain movements, while addressing the threat of disruption by maintaining staffing levels and cross-training so they can shift between longshore and related roles. In short, this strategy balances labor needs with port competitiveness and leaves room for adjustment next year.

Operational impact: shifts, overtime, and port schedules

Should shifts align with cargo flow, the longshore workforce in seattle and the west can avoid large break gaps, reduce overtime spikes, and keep schedules predictable. Reports reportedly show that when crews return on time and gate windows hold, congestion drops and yard moves improve. This arrangement should reduce incidents that bring operations down. The unions sent a joint action and a statement to the PMA outlining shared responsibilities, a unified calendar with a plan to communicate changes to terminal operators, dispatchers, and labor teams across area terminals, including the seattle marine complex.

Concrete design focuses on three fixed blocks: 06:00–14:00, 14:00–22:00, 22:00–06:00. Overtime begins after 8 hours per shift, with 1.5x rates up to 12 hours and 2x beyond that. Break windows include a 30-minute mid-shift break and a second shorter rest before the end of the shift. This structure should lead to less idle time and bring greater predictability and efficiency to seattle and other west coast ports.

To manage port schedules, terminals should tie crane and yard moves to vessel calls within a 48-hour forecast, with daily updates sent to unions and dispatch. Reports said this reduces congestion in the area and improves return-to-berth timing. The plan does align with vessel calls and labor calendars. The juneteenth observance is factored into the calendar to manage volume and avoid unnecessary overtime. This approach will bring smoother shifts, greater long-term stability for labor, and fewer disruptions for marine operations.

Worker guidance: where to find updates, FAQs, and contact points

Check the seattle ilwus page and subscribe to the alerts to get updates after contentious negotiations or lockouts at these ports, especially when ships move and shipping patterns shift along the coast. These mass notifications bring you the most current information from the local ilwus team, helping you plan with more clarity and act quickly after shifts at the largest ports.

For fast answers, visit the FAQs on the same page. You should review questions about what to bring on shift, how automated systems affect work, and how coastwise rules apply to washington operations; these FAQs are designed for these crews along southern ports and the broader coast. that guidance helps you prepare before you report to the dock, and you can trust it because it comes from the administration and organizers seen on these pages.

Contact points: Local ILWUS office, Washington state labor inquiries desk, Port Authority public affairs, ve emergency hotline for urgent updates. Check the official pages for a dedicated email address and a regional phone line; these respond quickly during lockouts or mass delays, and a point of contact helps you verify information seen elsewhere.

Keep these steps in mind: check updates after each shift, verify the news with the local page, and share accurate information with your crew; avoid scab talk or rumors that could spread confusion. These actions bring the whole team together, almost like a study in coordination, and they should help you keep the whole crew informed.

These channels are designed for the largest ports and the seattle region, with content seen by many workers. You should refresh daily for new notices from the administration or from the coastwise shipping desk; this is where you will learn more about schedule changes and safety procedures. After a few hours or days of talks, these resources provide a clear path to what you should do next, because staying informed protects crews and families when lockouts or mass disruptions occur.

Strike and lockout scenarios: triggers, safeguards, and contingency plans

Issue a jointly signed plan now: define triggers, safeguards, and contingency paths to keep port operations safe and functional. The issued plan should specify who leads the response, how reports circulate, and when to activate slowdowns or shutdowns to protect health and demand continuity. Together, these measures create a hopeful, practical path forward and reduce uncertainty for workers and management alike.

Triggers focus on operational and safety signals in the terminal area: slowdowns that persist across shifts, automated data failures, weather windows that threaten safety, and any risk of scab activity or lockout pressure. When these signals appear, the leaders said the response should be rapid and coordinated to minimize disruption while safeguarding workers. July milestones help track updates and ensure all parties stay aligned with the agreement. There, reports from the coastwise lanes and the ocean corridor keep action transparent.

Safeguards include automated alerts, mutual notices, and health protections on site. They ensure no side uses unilateral moves; reports flow to a shared lead, and teams stay together to avoid oppression and maintain trust. If conditions worsen, it would require a full consensus; the area will stay safe and workers receive full protections. The coastwise and ocean lanes stay monitored, so there is no confusion about the next action.

Contingency plans offer three practical paths: partial resumption with automated systems and staff reallocation; keeping selected terminals online while others shift cargo; or controlled pauses with reduced throughput. In all cases, these steps protect health, limit down time, and keep the ocean moving to meet demand. If needed, staff can be sent to alternate areas; operations can shut only if safety demands it, and neither side should push ahead without a clear agreement. We wont risk broader damage to ships or crews.