West Coast Dock Workers Union Files for Bankruptcy Amid Lawsuit Over Illegal Slowdowns

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) filed for bankruptcy amid a lawsuit seeking up to $142 million in damages for illegal work slowdowns.

The ILWU represents 22,000 dock and warehouse workers at West Coast ports, including Los Angeles and Long Beach.

A federal court previously found the ILWU liable for nearly $94 million in damages to a former Portland terminal operator over 2013-2017 slowdowns.

The ILWU says bankruptcy will help resolve the decade-long litigation and ensure the union can continue operating.

The bankruptcy filing comes after the ILWU negotiated a new 6-year contract with port operators, who accused workers of slowdowns during talks.