(LOS ANGELES) After months of intense bargaining and marathon negotiations, office clerical workers announced this afternoon that a tentative agreement has just been reached with shipping executives on a three-year labor contract covering clerical workers at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
“This agreement means good jobs that our community needs will stay here in the southland,” said Local 63-OCU (Office and Clerical Unit) President John Fageaux.
The proposed contract between the ILWU and 17 shipping terminals now goes to workers for a ratification vote.
The 900 clerical workers covered by the tentative agreement are responsible for processing millions of cargo documents each year.
“I’ve spent my whole life as a clerical worker,” said Local 63OCU Secretary-Treasurer Debbie Karmelich. “This contract guarantees good jobs and the respect that all clericals deserve.”
Contract talks started in May, 2007, and included a 37-hour marathon session last weekend followed by several long days of talks. Negotiations broke-off early Wednesday morning, July 25, as tensions escalated prior to the final settlement.
The new contract establishes a multi-employer pension trust that will provide secure retirement and health benefits for clerical workers. This is the first plan of its kind established in over 25 years.