The Port of Oakland, which has failed to negotiate a new contract with Service Employees International Local 1021 after almost a year of talks, has decided to proceed with impasse resolution proceedings.

The impasse action has several stages, including mediation, and could take several months to advance toward a new contract. Steps in the impasse proceedings can include presentation of the port’s final offer; meeting to attempt to resolve outstanding bargaining issues; selection of a neutral third-party mediator; and mediation sessions to help the parties reach a resolution.

If all of other measures fail, then the final step would be implementation of the port’s last, best and final offer.

From Pacific Maritime Magazine