ILWU Bargaining Update - Sept. 27, 2002
 

The ILWU scheduled a meeting with the PMA today at 11:00 a.m. An hour later, the PMA arrived and the two sides met at PMA headquarters. During the meeting, PMA Chief Joe Miniace notified the Union the employers are locking out ILWU workers.

The PMA and Miniace are making false claims regarding an alleged work slowdown to cover the fact that they have refused to negotiate with the ILWU on a reasonable technology proposal. Their claims of work slowdowns become even less credible when it is noted that ILWU longshore workers are moving record levels of cargo up and down the West Coast.

The ILWU wants to negotiate, but the PMA has not negotiated in good faith. We are prepared to continue with contract negotiations, and we are awaiting the PMA's response.