The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Caucus rejected the Pacific Maritime Association's contract settlement offer on Wednesday, July 24. Following this announcement, the union held a rally outside PMA headquarters during the lunch hour.

The rally, which lasted for about two hours, is the second such solidarity rally held by the union since it began negotiations with PMA on a new coast-wide labor agreement in May.

In response, PMA Director of Contract Administration Jack Suite said, "We are disappointed that the ILWU rejected an offer that was substantial, fair and met the most significant of the union's contract demands."

In meetings July 25, the union told PMA President Joseph Miniace it would not come back to the bargaining table until Tuesday, Aug. 13, or the following day. An agreement was signed to continue the 24-hour contract extensions subject to cancellation by either party until Aug. 13.
--Rene Tankersley, feature editor