The threat of disruptions at West Coast ports has receded as dockworkers and port employers reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year labor contract. 

On June 14, the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union said in a joint statement that the agreement, which covers workers at all 29 West Coast ports, was reached with assistance from Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su. 

“Collective bargaining works, and I congratulate both parties at the ports for reaching an agreement,” President Joe Biden said in a statement. “I want to thank Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su who used her deep experience and judgment to keep the parties talking, working with them to reach an agreement after a long and sometimes acrimonious negotiation.”

The parties said they will not be releasing details of the agreement at this time. The agreement is subject to ratification by both parties. 

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that recognizes the heroic efforts and personal sacrifices of the ILWU workforce in keeping our ports operating,” said PMA President James McKenna and ILWU President Willie Adams in a joint statement. “We are also pleased to turn our full attention back to the operation of the West Coast Ports.”