West Coast Port Labor Dispute Settled on Saturday
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SAN FRANCISCO   – The International Longshore and Warehouse Union and West Coat port operators reached a settlement on Saturday, ending the dock strike that had jammed up inbound and outbound shipping and trains feeding the docks for months.

West Coast ports were entirely for two weekends in a management closure following protracted negotiations over a union contract with the ILWU. Furniture makers like Flexsteel say it is affecting business. The five-year contract expired in July 2014.

According to wood products manufacturers surveyed by the purchasing managers group ISM, "West Coast port dock slowdowns, coupled with railroad embargo are all creating logistical challenges and increased backlog of orders." Exporters of Christmas trees and other produce saw their goods arrive at other markets too late or too damaged to be sold.

The White House sent Labor Secretary Thomas Perez  to mediate the dispute; furniture makers like Flexsteel said it is affecting business.

Furniture makers like Flexsteel say it is affecting business. - See more at: http://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/search?keyword=port&x=0&y=0#sthash.yl…

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