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October 4, 2002
Harman Tours Port of Los Angeles,
Calls For Continued Negotiations And Immediate Reopening Of Ports
LOS ANGELES - Congresswoman Harman took a helicopter tour today
of the Port of Los Angeles to see first-hand the cargo delays resulting
from the West Coast Port contract dispute. Following the tour, Harman
sent the following letter to James Spinosa, President of the International
Longshore and Warehouse Union and Joesph Miniace, President and CEO of
the Pacific Maritime Association:
October 4, 2002
Mr. James Spinosa Mr. Joseph Miniace
President President and CEO
International Longshore and Pacific Maritime Association
Warehouse Union 550 California Avenue
1188 Franklin Street, 4th Floor San Francisco, CA 94104
San Francisco, CA 94109
Dear Messrs. Spinosa and Miniace:
This morning I took a helicopter flight over the Ports of Los Angeles
and Long Beach and the offshore anchorages where more than 90 ships await
unloading of their cargoes. The shear volume of what I saw aboard those
ships and on the docks - containers with tons of perishable produce, electronic
goods and thousands of automobiles destined for markets in California
and the rest of the nation - represents only a fraction of the many millions,
if not billions, of dollars businesses, investors and customers have at
stake during the current lockout.
News reports further describe the rippling impact of the dispute on
markets worldwide, especially Asia. And they have also reported on shipments
that I could not see - the vast range of California products, especially
agricultural produce, that are destined for overseas markets but which
sit in warehouses instead.
To be sure, the dispute has had an adverse effect on the members of
your respective organizations, but many of my Congressional colleagues
and I are increasingly concerned about the punitive impact of the dispute
on the businesses and individuals dependent on ocean-borne shipments.
I’m sure it’s obvious to you that pressure is building on
the Bush Administration to force the parties to a settlement - an action
that, in my view, would be a mistake and likely cast a permanent cloud
over the relationship between the ILWU and PMA.
Instead, I have repeatedly voiced the view that the parties should
be allowed to resolve their differences and decide for themselves what
outside assistance or mediation they need. But that view can only be realized
with the unconditional re-opening of the ports, the prompt unloading of
cargo using as many hours as necessary, and the swift delivery of goods
to their intended customers.
Accordingly, I urge you to agree to the lifting of the lockout and
a resumption of work at our ports while negotiations continue. I commend
the ILWU and PMA for agreeing to federal mediation of the current contract
dispute. The outstanding issues are difficult, but they are not insurmountable
if both sides look long-term to the benefits that each will accrue from
increased international trade.
And, as I have let each of you know, I am ready to do whatever is helpful
to assist both the ILWU and PMA in reaching an amicable resolution.
Sincerely,
JANE HARMAN
Member of Congress
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