U.S. House members urge union, ports to cooperate

From the Capital Press

Nine members of Congress, led by Washington Reps. Dan Newhouse and Dave Reichert, are urging the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association to find ways to prevent port disruptions.

A work slowdown crippled container exports in 2014 and 2015.

At a conference in Long Beach, Calif., at the end of February, the presidents of ILWU and PMA said they are willing to raise the possibility of extending the agreement reached in 2015 beyond its July 1, 2019, expiration.

In light of that, Newhouse and Reichert, both Republicans, authored a letter to ILWU and PMA encouraging them to discuss options to preclude disruptions. Read the rest of the story here.