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A labor dispute has closed all West Coast
ports indefinitely, halting the flow of billions of dollars worth
or cargo destined for holiday shopping shelves. The association
representing shipping lines said Sunday evening that it
would not order any new workers to the docks at 29 major Pacific
ports until the longshoremen's union agrees to sign and extend a
lapsed contract. Pacific Maritime Association President Joseph
Miniace called the decision a "defensive shutdown." It came
less than 12 hours after longshoremen returned to the docks when
shipping lines lifted a 36-hour lockout they imposed. Friday
soon after contract negotiations felt apart. Association
officials accused the union of deliberately disrupting work Sunday
by understaffing operations and sending workers who weren't
skilled at the jobs for which they reported. "I will not pay
workers to strike," Miniace said. Both sides have agreed to meet
this afternoon in San Francisco. Officials with the
International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which represents
10,500 dockworkers, blamed shipping lines for the meltdown.
Longshoremen along the West Coast have been working without a
contract since July 1. |
