The Port of Oakland at the center of ILWU/PMA contract talks

When U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez meets with West Coast longshore union and management negotiators in San Francisco today, he will have a unique opportunity to see the glut of container vessels anchored in our Bay.

While not pointing fingers at organized labor, the Port of Oakland is rightfully blaming a major slowdown in dockside operations.

Port of Oakland cargo volume declined dramatically in January, the result of an ongoing West Coast waterfront labor dispute. The port reported today that containerized imports were down 39% from January 2014. Exports declined 26%. Total volume was off 32%.

The port attributed the decline to slowdowns arising from a dispute between dockworkers and employers over a new contract. port operations at 29 West Coast ports have been affected by the impasse, now entering its ninth month.

“With a decline in productivity and a breakdown in vessel schedules at all U.S. West Coast ports, cargo volumes are far from normal,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll.

Finally, the long-term consequences of this shameful episode has yet to be fully felt.

The port said importers have begun diverting containerized cargo to gateways outside the U.S. West Coast. These include ports in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. East Coast. It added that exporters have been challenged in shipping cargo to overseas markets because of vessel delays and diversions.