Because the Russia invasion of Ukraine exhibits no signal of letting up, longshore staff on Thursday, March 3, mentioned they might refuse to load or unload any Russian vessel or deal with any incoming or outgoing Russia cargo.
The announcement by the Worldwide Longshore and Warehouse Union covers some 20,000 staff in any respect 29 U.S West Coast ports.
“With this motion in solidarity with the folks of Ukraine, we ship a robust message that we unequivocally condemn the Russian invasion,” mentioned ILWU Worldwide President Willie Adams.
The overwhelming quantity of incoming cargo on the Ports of Los Angeles and Lengthy Seashore comes from Asia.
The quantity of cargo arriving from Russia just isn't rather a lot, mentioned Port of Lengthy Seashore Govt Director Mario Cordero. He mentioned out of 9.4 million containers that arrived by means of the port in 2021, solely 11,497 have been imports from Russia.
“Within the scope of issues,” he mentioned Monday, Feb. 28, on the common board assembly, “that’s not a really massive quantity.”
Port of Los Angeles Gene Seroka had the same evaluation.
“Commerce with Russia is negligible,” Seroka mentioned in a written remark. “Lower than two-tenths of 1% of all cargo on the Port of Los Angeles emanates to or from Russia.”
In an ILWU March 3 information launch, the union referred to as the invasion of Ukraine “an act of aggression that endangers a inhabitants of greater than 40 million folks, together with tens of millions of harmless males, ladies and youngsters.”
The discharge went on to say: “Efficient instantly, the Worldwide Longshore and Warehouse Union, with some 20,000 staff sturdy in 29 ports up and down the USA West Coast, will refuse to load or unload any Russian vessels or Russian cargo coming into or going out of all West Coast ports from Bellingham, Washington, to San Diego, California.”