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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.
OPA News Release: [10/07/2002]
Contact Name: Sue
Hensley
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao on
Presidential Action on the West Coast Ports Dispute
WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao issued
the following statement today:
“Over the last ten days, much of the nation has been watching the
shutdown of the West Coast ports with increasing anxiety.
“The Administration has been closely monitoring the situation and
has urged both parties to reach an agreement within the collective bargaining
process.
“The Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service,
Peter Hurtgen, has been working non-stop since the shutdown—to try to
reach a new contract and end the work stoppage.
“One of the fruits of his efforts is that the union and the
management have agreed to allow products to be shipped to Alaska and Hawaii,
two states that have been especially hard-hit in the last week.
“Last night, Director Hurtgen suspended negotiations at 11:15 p.m.,
Pacific Time, with no final resolution to the dispute in sight.
“I want to thank Peter for his hard work and professionalism. His
vital role will continue in the weeks ahead, but today, further action is
needed.
“This morning, using the authority conferred on him by the
Taft-Hartley Act, the President signed an Executive Order creating a Board of
Inquiry, to immediately assess and report on the West Coast ports dispute.
“We have given the parties every opportunity to resolve this
dispute on their own. Over three months have passed since the labor contract
governing the West Coast ports expired. In the last two weeks, there were
increasing reports of work slowdowns by the longshoremen’s union. Then, on
September 29th, the Pacific Maritime Association shut down all 29
ports on the West Coast.
“The country has been patient. We have been patient. But now
ordinary Americans are being seriously harmed by this dispute. Factory workers
are being laid off because they can’t get vital parts delivered. These
layoffs will only increase if the ports do not re-open this week.
“Family farmers and ranchers are being devastated by the shutdown.
Millions—if not billions—of dollars of American produce, meat and
poultry are rotting in containers on the docks and on idled trucks and
railcars.
“Sixty-five percent of all containerized food shipments from the
United States move through the West Coast ports; 40% of wheat exports, 25% of
U.S. grain exports, and 14% of corn exports pass through the West Coast
ports.
“Nearly 70 farm and agricultural groups have signed a letter saying
that the West Coast ports dispute ‘threatens to jeopardize the livelihood
of American farmers and ranchers.’
“The shutdown also has serious consequences for our national
defense. America’s military relies on commercial ships, docking at West
Coast ports, to supply our armed forces. Any disruption in the flow of these
military shipments could significantly impact the Defense Department’s
ability to support our men and women in harm’s way.
“The President has the authority to convene a Board of Inquiry in
labor disputes when he concludes there is a threat to the national health and
safety. There have been 11 coast-wide strikes or shutdowns under the
Taft-Hartley Act. In 11 out of 11 times, the President has convened a Board of
Inquiry.
“Today is only the first step in the process.
“Former Tennessee Senator Bill Brock will chair the three-member
Board. Senator Brock’s past experience as U.S. Secretary of Labor and U.S.
Trade Representative make him the ideal choice for this important
assignment.
“The other two members of the Board of Inquiry are Professor
Patrick Hardin of the University of Tennessee College of Law, and Professor
Dennis Nolan of the University of South Carolina School of Law. Both are
distinguished scholars with significant expertise in labor disputes.
“The Board is expected to report to President Bush tomorrow
on the facts of the dispute and the parties’ positions. After the
President receives the report, he may direct the Attorney General to seek an
injunction to end the work stoppage.
“If the court issues an injunction, the parties will be required to
resume normal operation of the ports for 80 days and must work
with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to resolve the
dispute.”
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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.
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