The Pacific Maritime Assn. called off a shutdown of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach Thursday, saying a "selective strike" by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union appeared to be over.

West Coast port employers, who are negotiating a new contract with the 10,500-member union, said they are suspending the lockout plan so long as operations at the port complex continue at normal levels.
"After a week of withholding labor, the union dispatched workers as PMA requested," said Joe Miniace, the employer association's chief executive officer. "This is a positive sign, and I am hopeful this signals that the ILWU and PMA will be able to work together toward a new coastwide contract that positions our ports for growth in the new century."
Reuters said late Thursday it could not reach the union for comment. The union, which has already authorized its bargaining team to call a strike vote, has denied there has been an intentional work slowdown. The union blamed a surge in cargo volume and a lack of workers.
The Pacific Maritime Assn.'s lockout threat on Thursday underscored the growing tensions between the two sides after five months of negotiations to reach a contract covering dockworkers at 29 U.S. ports stretching from San Diego to Seattle. The ports handle more than $300 billion worth of goods annually.