News / Port dispute a 'black eye' for US economy. Solve it, says 175-strong industry lobby

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Despite the appointment of a federal mediator with a track record of success, the bitterness at the core of US west coast labour contract negotiations seems to be worsening.

Labour contract talks between employers represented by the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore Warehouse Union (ILWU) began last May, ahead of the expiry of the previous six-year contract on 1 July.

But although there were initial signs of progress between the PMA, negotiating for shipping lines and terminal operators at ...