Reichert, Newhouse Urge Longshoremen, Port Operators to Find Common Ground to Prevent Port Disruptions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Members of Congress Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA), led a letter today to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) encouraging the organizations to discuss options in order to prevent future port disruptions similar to the 2014-2015 slowdown at West Coast ports. Based on recent public comments by ILWU President Robert McEllrath and PMA Chairman and CEO James McKenna, the Congressmen expressed optimism that the two organizations could work together to ensure the efficient movement of goods at U.S. ports.

The Members of Congress wrote in the letter:

“To be clear, because the workers, farmers, and businesses in our communities rely on the efficient movement of goods, we place great importance on the normal and functional operation of our ports. During the 2014-2015 disruption, farmers, manufacturers, and retailers across the western U.S. suffered hundreds of millions of dollars in damages because they could not get their goods to market. Foreign market share was lost, which not only hurt businesses trying to use the ports, but as you are aware, the shippers who transport goods, the workers who load and unload cargo, and the ports that rely on a steady stream of traffic were negatively impacted.”

The Members continued in the letter:

“Again, thank you for your early engagement on this issue that has serious implications for the economy of our region and the country as a whole. We hope to work with you as we continue our work in Congress to strengthen and increase freight mobility and develop proactive solutions to prevent future disruptions.”

The letter was signed by Reps. Dave Reichert (R-WA), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Mike Coffman (R-CO), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Amata Radewagen (AS), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), and Mike Simpson (R-ID).

In August 2015, Reps. Reichert and Newhouse introduced H.R. 3433, the Protecting Orderly and Responsible Transit of Shipment (PORTS) Act to improve the process of future negotiations to reduce the threat of harmful economic impacts of disruptions at U.S. ports.
 

Read the full text of the letter, HERE.

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