The president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) accused US West Coast employers of being dominated by foreign shipping companies that prioritise profits over port communities, reports New York's Journal of Commerce.

Bobby Olvera delivered the remarks at the Agriculture Transportation Coalition meeting in Tacoma, Washington, warning employers and cargo owners ahead of the union's coastwide contract expiration in 2028. The previous contract, finalised in 2022, secured a 32 per cent wage increase for members after stoppages and slowdowns diverted cargo to East and Gulf Coast ports.

Mr Olvera said foreign shipping lines should not operate US terminals, arguing that American stevedoring companies should run them. He accused employers of focusing on profit generation and tax incentives rather than supporting port communities.

The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), representing carriers and terminal operators, rejected the criticism, saying it promotes strong and efficient West Coast ports that sustain thousands of jobs and support the national supply chain.

Former shipping executive Ted Prince noted that vertically integrated carrier-terminal operations have been shifting as private equity and infrastructure funds invest in ports. Mr Olvera said public port authorities, owned by citizens, must ask the right questions when granting long-term leases to ensure facilities meet user needs.

A California agriculture exporter told Mr Olvera that mistrust between the PMA and ILWU has raised shipper costs and diverted cargo eastward. She said technology at terminals is meant to improve efficiency, not eliminate jobs. Mr Olvera declined to discuss automation, noting that port authorities, operators and the union are working together to ensure future projects proceed with cooperation.