On November 23, 2002, Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (I LW U ) reached a tentative agreement on a six year contract. The agreement must still be ratified by a majority of the 11.,W U membership in a vote that will possibly take place sometime in January 2003.

The PMA who represent the shipping companies, locked out dock workers at the 29 major Pacific Ports for 10 days. This occurred when negotiations broke of between PMA and the union. On October 9, 2002, President Bush invoked the Taft Hartley Act to avoid an economic crisis. This was the first time the Act has been used in 24 gears. It was also the first time it had been used to stop a lock out and not a strike. The lockout began after shipping companies accused the union of an illegal work slow down during negotiations, which the union denied. The union's contract ended in July 2002 and they continued to work without a contract until they were locked out on September 30, 2002.

The lock out stranded approximately 200 container vessels, disrupted retailers and manufacturers and the nation's dependence for global trade. Losing billions of dollars in goods from produce, automobiles, electronics and clothing.

Federal mediators and veteran AFL CIO negotiators convinced both sides that an agreement they reached on their own would he preferable than one forced on them by Congress and courts. Two other events that also changed the negotiations were the Republicans had won the majority in both Houses of Congress weakening the unions influence in Washington. .Also the U.S. Attorney's Office was not going to pursue the PMA's claims of the union causing a work

slow down on the docks sending a clear message that industry could not count on further white House intervention.

The PMA representing the shipping companies agreed to boost pensions by more than 50 percent to a maximum benefit of $63,000 per year. Wages which now start at about $27 per hour, will rise three dollars an hour over six years. The most affected by the deal are the marine clerks (Local 63 ), they are among the highest paid dock workers earning an average of $118,000 last year. They will relinquish control over information flowing into the Ports by Computer.

An estimated 400 to 600 marine clerk jobs are expected to be eliminated over the extent of the contract. However, the contract guarantees lifetime employment to all 16000 registered clerks in the union. However, the union maintains jurisdiction over all remaining clerk jobs and gains control over certain planning positions which are now non union; approximately 30 to 40 positions. The length of the contract is double the term of recent contracts. This is usually viewed as concessions by labor. However, the length of time was needed to fund the pension sought by union negotiators. It will also help ensure stability as new technology is implemented.

The hard line of the shipping companies forced the ILWU to seek allies for the first time. In midsummer, the AFL CIO sent Secretary `Treasurer Richard Trunka the federations number two official to join the talks. Trunka, a skilled negotiator, was credited by all sides with being a stabilizing force in the negotiations.