The union that was recently accused of initiating illegal slowdowns in two key West Coast ports has struck back at the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA)'s 'media offensive', saying port congestion is the result of poor management. 

A statement from the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) said the PMA's claims were designed to 'smear the union' and to deflect responsibility from a growing congestion problem that is plaguing major West Coast ports.

The ILWU and the PMA have for the last six months been negotiating a new contract that covers 13,600 workers at 29 West Coast ports.

On Tuesday the PMA - which represents more than 70 multinational ocean carriers and maritime companies - claimed the ILWU had deliberately slowed productivity in the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

"PMA's press statement dishonestly accuses the ILWU of breaking a supposed agreement 'that normal operations at West Coast ports would continue until an agreement could be reached'," the ILWU statement said.

"This is a bold-faced lie. No such agreement was ever made, nor could it be made given the parties' historic disagreement regarding the definition of "normal operations" – a disagreement that has been the subject of arbitrations for decades.

"PMA also falsely states that agreement to temporary contract extensions is standard practice."

The previous ILWU-PMA contract expired on July 1, and since mid-May both parties have met regularly to negotiate a new agreement.

The ILWU statement said that during this six-month period the union had 'consistently come to the table in good faith despite PMA's early pressure tactics'.

"[These tactics] include, among other things, secretly trying to shift away thousands of ocean container chassis traditionally handled and maintained by longshore workers and refusing to bargain a training program that properly trains longshore workers and prevents non-qualified workers from operating dangerous equipment," the statement said.

"[The] unilateral media blitz by PMA will only delay progress at a critical point in the contract negotiations. Delays at the negotiating table are also reflected in the growing congestion problem at major West Coast ports."

ILWU spokesperson Craig Merrillees said the union was in no way to blame for what the PMA perceived to be reduced productivity, claiming the employer was at fault.

"Congestion at key ports is the result of three factors – some of which is from employer mismanagement, according to industry experts," Merrilees said in the release.

One reason was 'a change in the business model used to maintain and allocate truck chassis', which Merrilees said was preventing chassis systems from being delivered to the right place at the right time.

In addition he alleged 'a shortage of truck drivers who are needed to move containers at ports' had left shipping scrambling to fill vacant positions and haul containers to distribution facilities.

He also cited 'a shortage of rail car capacity has led to delays in moving containers from the docks to distant locations via rail.'

The ILWU has called for talks to resume on Wednesday.

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