US shipping lines cite wide gap in talks with W Coast dockworkers

Los Angeles

NEGOTIATORS for shipping lines and terminal operators at 29 US West Coast ports remain far from a deal with union dockworkers after seven months of contract talks, the companies said on Wednesday, again blaming the union for waterfront cargo slowdowns.

The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) statement came a day before the companies were slated to resume face-to-face bargaining with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, representing 20,000 West Coast dockworkers in the talks.