PMA RAISES LABOR ASSESSMENTS

PMA RAISES LABOR ASSESSMENTS    The Pacific Maritime Association said it will raise man-hour and tonnage assessments at West Coast ports prior to completion of negotiations for a new contract with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
   The increases, effective June 30, were necessary due to 'unprecedented rise in the costs of health and welfare benefits for members of the ILWU employed by PMA employers,' the PMA said.
   The PMA, which represents terminal operators, carriers and other West Coast maritime employers, said that in years in which labor contracts are renegotiated, assessment rates have generally not been published until a new labor agreement is reached.
   The hourly rates will increase to $16.00, from $12.61. The tonnage rates will increase to $13.34 per TEU, from $10.75; while the general cargo rate will be 77.3 cents per ton, up from 62.2 cents per ton.
   The PMA said its board of directors will review the rates and make appropriate changes once negotiations for a new labor agreement are completed.