Toy Association Calls on Biden Administration to Urge ILWU-PMA to Reach Labor Agreement for Ports

July 1, 2022 | As labor negotiations continue between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) past their July 1 deadline, The Toy Association has called on the Biden administration to ensure a new labor agreement can be reached without disruption to port operations.

In a letter submitted to the administration along with a coalition of fellow trade groups and businesses, the Association urged the administration to encourage both parties to remain at the bargaining table and provide additional certainty to all supply chain stakeholders that rely on the West Coast ports ahead of the critical holiday selling season. A copy of the letter can be found here.

“This extension of negotiations comes at a time when ports are already experiencing a surge in goods coming from China for back-to-school, fall fashions, and early Christmas shipments and cargo continues to be diverted to East Coast ports, such as the Port of Savannah, to alleviate existing bottlenecks,” said Ed Desmond, executive vice president of external affairs at The Toy Association. “We will continue to advocate on behalf of our members to help ensure action is taken and a positive outlook for Q4 is underway.”

There will be no contract extension, but cargo will keep moving, and normal operations will continue at the ports until an agreement can be reached, according to a joint statement released by the two parties. As previously reported, ILWU International President Willie Adams has expressed confidence that a positive outcome for all is within reach.

The Toy Association will continue to keep members updated as negotiations continue.