SEATTLE — Vessel operations at all 29 ports along the West Coast will be suspended over the weekend, according to the Pacific Maritime Association.
“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 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.
Earlier this week, Pacific Maritime Association chief executive James McKenna warned that the PMA could lock out the International Longshore and Warehouse union workers from all terminals along the West Coast in as few as five days if the two sides do not come to an agreement on a new contract.
