[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 500 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 500

Expressing the sense of Congress that the Pacific Maritime Association 
 and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union should enter into 
  mediation to resolve the ongoing west coast port shutdown and that 
       other options should be taken if these negotiations fail.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 7, 2002

  Mr. Graves submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
        referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of Congress that the Pacific Maritime Association 
 and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union should enter into 
  mediation to resolve the ongoing west coast port shutdown and that 
       other options should be taken if these negotiations fail.

Whereas the ongoing dispute between the Pacific Maritime Association and the 
        International Longshore and Warehouse Union has resulted in the shutdown 
        of 29 west coast ports;
Whereas this dispute has sent harmful economic reverberations far beyond the 
        shipping industry, the west coast, and even the United States border;
Whereas 7 percent of the Nation's gross domestic product travels through these 
        ports and the flow of goods in and out of these ports is critical to the 
        operation of businesses, farms, factories, retailers, and consumers all 
        over the United States;
Whereas the stay of all west coast transport by sea has already prevented 
        farmers from selling their crops, shut down manufacturing plants, idled 
        truck drivers and trains, and precluded consumers from purchasing goods;
Whereas due to this interruption in the flow of commerce, thousands of Americans 
        are laid off and living without a paycheck through no fault of their 
        own;
Whereas the United States is already enduring an economic recession and high 
        unemployment; and
Whereas if the shutdown of the west coast ports continues, it will present a 
        serious threat to the Nation's safety and health: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the Pacific Maritime Association and the International 
        Longshore and Warehouse Union should enter into mediation while 
        adopting 24-hour extensions of the expired collective 
        bargaining agreement; and
            (2) if a settlement is not reached, the President should 
        direct the Attorney General to petition any district court of 
        the United States having jurisdiction of the parties to enjoin 
        such strike or lock-out or the continuing thereof.
                                 <all>