PRESS ROOM

Yesterday brought the news that dockworkers on the US West Coast have voted in favour of ratifying a contract agreement made between employment association Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), bringing to a close a period of significant industrial unrest.

The ratification of the agreement for a new US west coast labour contract is good news for importers and exporters, as well as companies like U-Freight, which moves their container shipments through US West Coast ports via a comprehensive network of international container shipping services on the transpacific, including LCL and FCL import and export operations.

The new six-year contract is retroactive from July 1, 2022. The deal includes a 32% pay increase over the span of the contract as well as a one-time bonus for working through the early days of the covid pandemic.

“This contract provides an important framework for the hard work ahead to overcome new competitive challenges and to continue to position the West Coast ports as destinations of choice for shippers worldwide,” said PMA president and CEO Jim McKenna. “From San Diego to Bellingham, these ports have long been the primary gateways for cargo coming into and leaving the United States, and our interests are aligned in ensuring they can effectively, and efficiently, handle the capacity growth that drives economies and jobs.’’

You can find more information about the U-Freight Group’s ocean freight services through US West Coast ports by visiting the relevant pages of this website, or by speaking to your usual contact in our company.