PMA Credits Lawsuit with Encouraging Spirit of Cooperation Environment with ILWU

Following a significant reduction in West Coast work stoppages by the International Longshore Warehouse Union (ILWU), the U.S. District Court issued a minute order tentatively dismissing the existing complaint filed by the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA). The suit, filed Sept. 4, 1998, sought to curtail ILWU work stoppages on West Coast ports. The PMA reluctantly filed the lawsuit against the ILWU after more than 150 work stoppages occurred at West Coast ports since the last negotiated contract in July 1996. A committee, comprised of PMA and ILWU representatives, has recently been formed with the objective to regularly discuss how developing technology can be implemented on the waterfront to provide improved customer service. The PMA expects to see more cooperative efforts, such as this technology-focused committee, as a new spirit of cooperation takes hold on the waterfront.