Timeline of events in the West Coast seaport labor dispute

A timeline of significant developments in the West Coast seaport labor dispute between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which represents dockworkers, and the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents the terminal operators and shipping lines that employ them:

EARLY 2014 - West Coast seaports begin to have trouble moving cargo due to factors including a shortage of truck beds that carry containers from dockside yards to distribution warehouses.

MID-MAY - Negotiations begin on a new contract that will cover workers at 29 ports.

JULY 1 - The prior, six-year contract expires. Longshoremen keep working.

AUG. 26 - Negotiators reach a deal on health benefits, a tricky issue in the talks.

EARLY NOVEMBER - Employers begin alleging that dockworkers are intentionally slowing their work to gain leverage at the bargaining table.

EARLY JANUARY - Employers begin cutting night work crews. A federal mediator agrees to intervene in contract talks.

JAN. 26 - Negotiators reach a deal on another key sticking point. Longshoremen will maintain and repair truck beds used to haul containers off the docks.

EARLY FEBRUARY - Employers make what they call their best, "all in" contract offer. Companies also begin partial shutdowns on weekends and holidays, cutting work crews that would move containers on and off ships.

Source: NJ Herald