A Port Strike Averted

Although the clerks, represented by a unit of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) number about 750 at the ports, there was indication that the 15,000 longshore workers would have honored their picket line, effectively shutting down the ports that handle between 40 and 45% of all goods that reach the United States by ocean.

The new agreement reached is for three years. It includes a 14% boost in pay and benefits for the clerks and includes provisions to permit shippers the flexibility to reduce staff through attrition. The larger ILWU longshore contract comes up for renewal in 2008.