U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez is said to have had 'positive and productive' meetings yesterday with both sides in the ongoing West Coast port conflict, and will continue to speak with them today. 

President Barack Obama last week appointed Perez to facilitate an agreement in the dispute between the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which has severely affected ports in recent months.

A U.S. Department of Labor official said in a statement Perez had met with the leadership of both parties, along with a range of officials from West Coast states.

"On behalf of President Obama, Secretary Perez made clear that the dispute has led to a very negative impact on the U.S. economy, and further delay risks tens of thousands of jobs and will cost American businesses hundreds of millions of dollars," the official said.

"While the parties have made tremendous progress, Secretary Perez stressed that it's imperative the parties come to an immediate agreement to prevent further damage to our economy and further pain for American workers and their employers.

"In addition to today’s in-person meetings, Secretary Perez had calls with a number of state and local elected officials, including Governor Jay Inslee (D-WA), Governor Jerry Brown (D-CA), Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee to discuss the impact of the ongoing dispute on their local, import-driven economies."

The official added meetings with the PMA and ILWU would continue today, and Perez would regularly brief senior administration officials on the ongoing negotiations.

Photo: Port of Oakland, via Wikimedia Creative Commons

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