West Coast seaports could shut down in as soon as five days — hobbling U.S. trade with Asia — if dockworkers and their employers cannot reach a new contract, the head of a maritime association warned Wednesday in remarks intended to pressure an agreement after nine months of negotiations.
Without a new contract, employers could begin a lockout in as soon as five days, or as many as 10 days. “I couldn’t tell you exactly, but I can tell you it’s imminent,” McKenna said.
The union has disputed slowdown claims. Its members instead blame the congestion on issues beyond their control, including a shortage of truck beds to take containers from the docks to distribution warehouses.
Union President Robert McEllrath said a worker lockout would be “reckless and irresponsible.”
