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Amata Pleased With Tentative Agreement Between ILWU and PMA

April 7, 2015

Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata released a statement regarding the tentative agreement reached between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA).

"The people of American Samoa rely heavily upon shipping to receive and send goods to and from the islands, and this agreement is critical to maintaining the normal flow of commerce that our people rely upon," stated Amata.

According to an ILWU news release, "the tentative agreement was approved on February 20 by the ILWU's 16-member elected Negotiating Committee and 8-member Safety Sub-Committee. The proposed 5-year contract covers 20,000 dockworkers at 29 west coast ports. Copies of the agreement will be mailed to longshore union members, who will then have a chance to discuss the proposal at local union meetings. A secret ballot membership ratification vote will be the final step in the process. A final tally will be conducted on May 22."

"I am happy to see that the two sides have finally reached an agreement," said Amata. "Once the contract proposal is finalized, manufactures will have the certainty they need to ship their goods and not have to worry about them sitting on docks," concluded Amata.

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