Members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have voted to approve a new six-year coast-wide contract with the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), according to an announcement made by the ILWU on Thursday. The union revealed that 75% of the voting ILWU members agreed to ratify the contract, which was [...]
PANAMA CANAL CLIMACTIC EMERGENCY Approximately 14,000 ships, accounting for 6% of global maritime trade, pass through the Panama Canal annually. This year, the numbers are expected to drop due to the unseasonably long drought impacting Panama. Watershed levels for the region are the lowest they have been since 1950. [...]
INAUGURAL UYGHUR FORCED LABOR PREVENTION ACT STRATEGY REPORT The Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF) issued its initial update on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) strategy, emphasizing the need for increased funding and resources for effective enforcement. The update, released on August 1 and mandated annually, highlights [...]
ILWU CANADA, BCMEA REACH ACCORD In a joint statement released on Sunday, July 30, 2023, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU) and the British Columbia Maritime Employer's Association (BCMEA) announced that a tentative contract agreement was reached between both parties. Leadership of both organizations are recommending their members [...]
UPS AND TEAMSTERS REACH AGREEMENT UPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Teamsters) reached a tentative agreement for a five-year contract on Tuesday averting a strike. Endorsed by the UPS Teamsters National Negotiating Committee, the tentative agreement adds new full-time jobs, increases hourly pay rates for both full and part-time [...]
FOSTERING TRANSPARENCY & GROWTH The United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade First Agreement Implementation Act (H.R. 4004) is a bipartisan bill that formally validates Congressional endorsement of the trade agreement negotiated between the Biden Administration and Taiwan. Making its way to President Biden for approval, this legislation outlines stipulations for [...]
JULY 21, 2023 UPDATE:Â The ILWU strike notice has been retracted and labor operations at the Ports of Prince Rupert and Vancouver have returned to normal. The full schedule can be found on the Maersk website. ILWU CANADA MEMBERS REJECT CONTRACT The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU) members [...]
COMPREHENSIVE COMPLIANCE DISLOSURES The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is urging China-based companies to provide more comprehensive disclosures regarding their compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) and reporting on the Chinese government’s involvement in their operations. Recently, a sample letter was shared on the SEC's official website, [...]
POTENTIAL UPS STRIKE The pending strike by United Parcel Service (UPS) Teamsters is causing widespread concern throughout global supply chains. As negotiations between UPS and the Teamsters stagnate, businesses worldwide are preparing for potential disruptions to shipping and logistics services.  The potential August 1, 2023, strike may create bottlenecks and [...]
ILWU CANADA AND BCMEA REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT The 13-day labor strike between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU) and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) came to an end during late night negotiations on July 13. Federal mediators assisted both parties in reaching the tentative 4-year agreement [...]
