Letter to President and CEO James C. McKenna, Pacific Maritime Association and President William E. Adams, International Longshore and Warehouse Union - Sánchez pens letter urging Pacific Maritime Association, ILWU to engage in good faith negotiations

Letter

Dear President McKenna and President Adams,
We write to you today regarding the contract negotiations currently underway between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. With the current contract expiring soon, we strongly urge all parties to stay committed to the collective bargaining process and work in good faith to reach an agreement.
We want to congratulate both of your organizations on the positive and healthy relationship you have fostered with each other, and the steps you have already taken to come to an agreement on this contract. We applaud the positive statement your organizations put out at the start of bargaining, committing yourselves to stay at the bargaining table and reach an agreement as you have consistently done throughout your long history.
Together, your groups represent 30 ports along the West Coast, including the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and more than 22,000 workers. We strongly believe that it is in the best interest of our nation for the parties to reach an agreement that honors, respects, and protects good American jobs and U.S. importers and exporters.
As you are already aware, the United States has experienced severe supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is seeing historic cargo volume at the same time, exacerbating our already fragile systems. Americans depend on the goods that come through our ports. Your organizations have done an admirable job keeping goods moving throughout the pandemic, and we appreciate your June 14th joint public statement committing to keeping goods moving.
We understand that given the complexity of these negotiations, it may be difficult to reach a deal before the expiration of the current agreement. We also recognize that this timing is typical and appreciate your shared assurances that cargo operations will continue beyond the expiration of the contract.
We share your optimism that you will be able to reach an agreement, while keeping cargo moving through the ports, and urge you to continue working toward this goal. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,