Yesterday, the Labor Secretary, Thomas Perez, began to meet with dockworkers and employers in an attempt to resolve the labor disputes that have led to a work stoppage at 29 West Coast ports. The dockworkers, who have been without a labor contract since July, spent 9 months in contract negotiations. After reaching a gridlock, the workers began to use slowdown tactics. Yesterday, 32 ships were unable to dock as a result of the dispute.
See "Labor Secretary to Resume Talks to Break Port Impasse", Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, February 18, 2015