Vilsack says he participates in daily West Coast port calls
February 19, 2015 |05:33 PM
ARLINGTON, Va. — As employers appealed directly to dockworkers at West Coast ports today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said he has been participating in daily calls organized by the White House for the last two weeks in the attempt to settle the labor dispute.
Vilsack said he has conveyed the importance to agriculture of settling the port situation, noting the “profound impact” of a “tremendous backlog” of shipments being affected.
He said the remaining issue is the arbitrator, an official who is on duty to settle daily disputes.
“The ball’s on the five-yard line,” Vilsack said. “But the last five yards can be very difficult.”
▪ Associated Press — Employers Appeal to Dockworkers in West Coast Port Fight
Vilsack said he has conveyed the importance to agriculture of settling the port situation, noting the “profound impact” of a “tremendous backlog” of shipments being affected.
He said the remaining issue is the arbitrator, an official who is on duty to settle daily disputes.
“The ball’s on the five-yard line,” Vilsack said. “But the last five yards can be very difficult.”
▪ Associated Press — Employers Appeal to Dockworkers in West Coast Port Fight
