Congressman Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) released the following statement in response to PMA's decision not to conduct vessel work from 5 p.m., February 6, to 8 a.m., February 9:
“I am deeply discouraged by the PMA's decision to stop all vessel work at the 29 West Coast ports over the weekend. There is no question that the congestion at port terminals up and down the West Coast is worsening every day. The damage being done to our local, regional, and national economies is also growing, impacting not only the ILWU and their employers, but workers across the nation large and small.
“Discontinuing calls for labor over the weekend is not going to make the situation at any facility better. It also is not going to improve the atmosphere at the negotiating table.
“Both sides have made clear over the past few days that they believe there is a path to a contract that will end this situation.
"I strongly urge both sides to take swift steps to restore the steady flow of cargo through our ports while also redoubling their efforts at the negotiating table with the federal mediator to reach a speedy conclusion.”
