LA port chief sees initial union deal within weeks

Los Angeles

CONTRACT negotiations between shippers and 20,000 dockworkers at West Coast ports are progressing towards a tentative agreement in November, the head of the largest harbour said.

Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, said that he speaks daily with negotiators for both sides on a new accord for ports from San Diego to Bellingham, Washington, which together handle almost half of all US maritime trade.