International Longshore and Warehouse Union members have ratified a five-year contract governing pay and work rules at 29 West Coast ports, including those of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Mayor Eric Garcetti made the following statement regarding the ratification of the port labor contract:
"Today is a big day for America's number one port -- the Port of Los Angeles. Now that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and Pacific Maritime Association members have ratified the port labor agreement that we worked on in February, we can now move forward together to make our port the best in the world and keep our economy moving. I want to again thank Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, my Executive Director of the Port Gene Seroka, Mayor of Long Beach Robert Garcia, and the leadership of ILWU and PMA for their partnership in resolving their differences and putting this critical economic engine back on track."
Statement from Gene Seroka, Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles:
"The approval of this labor contract allows us to move full speed ahead sharpening our competitive edge. In the last 90 days, labor and management throughout the San Pedro Bay supply chain have made excellent progress eliminating the backlog of ships, getting services back on schedule, and improving cargo flow in and out of terminals. Our port teams are working with supply chain stakeholders on a series of initiatives that will take cargo efficiency and velocity to the next level here in San Pedro Bay. Mayor Garcetti and I look forward to working with the ILWU and the PMA terminal operators to make that happen."