West Coast Talks Breaking Down

PMA Publicizes Offer – Rumors began surfacing this week of a pending port shutdown.  On Wednesday, Pacifica Maritime Association (PMA) CEO James McKenna held a press conference to outline their offer to the ILWU. The purposed 5 year contract would continue to pay full medical benefits and increase pensions.  The PMA reported a bleak outlook on the negotiations and indicated that the current progress is leading in the direction of a work stoppage.

See PMA statement video below.

 

ILWU “Blasts” Employers – In response to the PMA, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) President Robert McEllrath issued a press release blaming the employers for the current congestion problems. They also explained the PMA’s talk of a shutdown was a “reckless and unnecessary move.”

Read Press Release from the ILWU

Alibaba Testing China Drone Deliveries – China based Alibaba is testing drone deliveries near distribution facilities in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.  The trial will involve actual deliveries to real customers. Safety concerns are among the major hurdles to seeing widespread use of such a delivery system.  Amazon and Google are among the high profile companies looking into the feasibility of drone deliveries.

Read more from the BBC