Final resolution for West Coast port troubles

SAN FRANCISCO — With the ratification of a new agreement with the Longshoremen on Friday, the 11-month disagreement that slowed West Coast ports has finally ended.

A labor contract in the works for four months was signed by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, officially ending a slowdown that snarled goods and traffic worldwide.

Earlier in the week, the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents West Coast ports, voted in favor of the contract with dockworkers.

"Thanks to both the PMA and ILWU, this agreement puts the contract discussions behind us. Now we can get down to the important work: improving service to shippers so that we remain their primary U.S. trade gateway," Port of Oakland executive director Chris Lytle said.

The final provisions of the contract were reached in February. They included improvement of the arbitration process and streamlined health care benefits for affected workers.

The contact is retroactive to July 1, 2014, and will continue through June 30, 2019.

Work slowdowns linked to the contract negotiations disrupted maritime commerce at 29 major West Coast ports.