Washington—U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer (both D-Calif.) today called on both parties in the West Coast ports dispute to act swiftly to reach a final agreement. In a letter to International Longshore and Warehouse President Robert McEllrath and Pacific Maritime Association President and CEO James C. McKenna, the Senators expressed their concern that despite a narrowing of differences, the parties have not been able to resolve the labor dispute because they cannot agree on the selection of an arbitrator.

“It is our understanding that the only issue that stands between further damage to our economy and a contract agreeable to both parties is the choice of an arbitrator,” the Senators wrote. “While it is understandable that the parties can disagree, it is highly disappointing that with so much at stake, you have not been able to come up with a path forward on this one remaining issue.”

Failure to resolve the dispute has led to a slowdown in the movement of goods all along the West Coast. As a result, there are reports of California companies losing millions of dollars in revenue and of broader damage to the U.S. economy.

“Every day that goes by without a resolution only adds to the economic pain for the West Coast and the entire country. This cannot continue,” the Senators wrote. “The consequences of failing to resolve this dispute immediately would be devastating to our economy and to the millions of people who work hard every day for agricultural producers, manufacturers and other businesses, both large and small, in California and around the world.”

The full text of the letter follows:

February 19, 2015

Dear Mr. McEllrath and Mr. McKenna:

It is encouraging that, with the assistance of Labor Secretary Perez, you have narrowed the differences in this labor dispute that is hurting our economy and restricting the free flow of commerce at our ports.

It is our understanding that the only issue that stands between further damage to our economy and a contract agreeable to both parties is the choice of an arbitrator. While it is understandable that the parties can disagree, it is highly disappointing that with so much at stake, you have not been able to come up with a path forward on this one remaining issue.

Every day that goes by without a resolution only adds to the economic pain for the West Coast and the entire country. This cannot continue.

The consequences of failing to resolve this dispute immediately would be devastating to our economy and to the millions of people who work hard every day for agricultural producers, manufacturers and other businesses, both large and small, in California and around the world.

We strongly urge both the PMA and the ILWU to urgently resolve this last issue and to swiftly move toward a final contract agreeable to both parties.

Sincerely,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

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