NIT LEAGUE WARNS BUSH ADMINISTRATION OF PORT STRIKE RISKS

NIT LEAGUE WARNS BUSH ADMINISTRATION OF PORT STRIKE RISKS    The National Industrial Transportation League on Friday wrote to the U.S. departments of Transportation, Commerce and Labor to express its concerns about the negotiations between dockworkers’ unions and employers on the U.S. West Coast, and warn of the serious economic impact of potential port disruptions.
   'Edward Emmett, president of the NIT League, wrote identical warning letters to Norman Y. Mineta, Transportation Department secretary; Donald L. Evans, Commerce secretary; and Elaine L. Chao, secretary of Labor.
   Emmett wrote in the letters cited the negotiations between the International Longshore & Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association to renew their labor contract on wages and working conditions in West Coast ports. The present contract expires on July 1.
   The NIT League asked the secretaries to monitor these negotiations closely and “provide whatever help the parties need to arrive at a mutually negotiated solution” that will result in an efficient and productive system of ports for the U.S. transportation industry.
   “If there is even a small disruption, extremely serious consequences for the U.S. economy would result with consumers experiencing shortages of needed commodities,” Emmett warned. “These ports are critical to the United States economy.”
   The shippers’ organization stressed it is “essential” for the parties to confront issues of productivity and security at the bargaining table. Emmett said U.S. West Coast ports have lagged behind ports in other areas of the world, in terms of productivity, in recent years.
   Emmett said many NIT League members transport substantial quantities of goods in the transpacific trade via West Coast ports. In 2000, the ports handled 42 percent of U.S. waterborne trade, and nearly 30 percent of all U.S. trade, he said.
   No information on the progress of the ILWU/Pacific Maritime Association contract negotiations has been made public, as both parties imposed a news blackout on the talks.
   The West Coast Waterfront Coalition, a Washington-based group that represents major shippers, has also sought to sensitize politicians of the economic risks of major port strikes on the West Coast.