In April, the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) submitted a formal request to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) to begin negotiations on a West Coast port labor contract extension beyond the current July 1, 2019 expiration date. This week Journal of Commerce reported that ILWU delegates will consider the request at a caucus meeting to be held Aug. 10-12 in San Francisco.

If ILWU delegates approve the request, discussions on a limited scope of contract items could begin in September. USMEF will provide further updates as more information becomes available.