This comes after a long period of disruptive slowdowns at the Port of Portland and 28 other US West Coast ports, which unsettled domestic and international trade and affected the US economy earlier this year, especially.
Introduced by Idaho Senator James Risch, the PLUS Act was the result of efforts by ICTSI Oregon, Inc., the terminal operating company for the Port of Portland’s Terminal 6, to focus congressional attention on the ongoing problem of maritime labour slowdowns.
“As a port operator, ICTSI Oregon has deep relationships with local small businesses, farmers, and the import and export community throughout the Columbia River region and Western states. We identify with the significant pain they continue to experience as a result of the ILWU’s actions during the most recent contract negotiations,” said Elvis Ganda, CEO, ICTSI Oregon.
“If enacted, the PLUS Act will help ensure that a small number of workers cannot engage in unfair labour practices that threaten our nation’s economic prosperity and hold our economy hostage,” he added.
The measure would amend the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to make intentional slowdowns by maritime unions an unfair labour practice. Offending labour organisations would be subjected to federal court injunctions against slowdowns as well as damage claims to injured parties.
ICSTI Oregon says while intentional slowdowns are not a significant problem in most segments of the US economy, they are a major and growing problem in the maritime industry, particularly the West Coast. Currently, a loophole in the NLRA has allowed the ILWU to use slowdowns as leverage against ports and port operators—particularly during contract negotiations. As a result, the last three contract negotiation years have seen major disruption to the West Coast and US economy.
In a bid to turn things around, ICTSI Oregon representatives recently made trips to Washington, D.C. to propose and build support among congressional lawmakers and trade associations for reasonable maritime labour law reform. According to Mr Ganda, there is growing support among a diverse range of stakeholders to find a solution to West Coast labour issues and significant interest in the proposed legislation. ICTSI Oregon has worked closely with Senator Risch and his staff to finalize the PLUS Act for Senate consideration.
The PLUS Act has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.