West Coast Dockworkers Approve New Six-Year Contract

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA (August 31, 2023) – West Coast dockworkers have voted to ratify a tentative contract agreement reached in June with employers represented by the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA).

Members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) voted 75% in favor of approving the new 6-year agreement that will expire on July 1, 2028. Voting results were certified today by the ILWU’s Coast Balloting Committee, which was chosen by Coast Longshore Division Caucus delegates elected from each of the 29 West Coast ports.

“The negotiations for this contract were protracted and challenging,” said ILWU International President Willie Adams. “I am grateful to our rank and file for their strength, to our Negotiating Committee for their vision and tenacity, and to those that supported giving the ILWU and PMA the space that we needed to get to this result.”

The new agreement protects good-paying jobs in 29 West Coast port communities, maintains health benefits, and improves wages, pensions and safety protections.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union’s Coast Longshore Division represents approximately 20,000 longshore and clerk workers on the West Coast of the United States.