The International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU), which has always played a major role in container shipping at 29 US West Coast ports, could make a big impact in 2014, but the impact might be difficult to grasp. The rumor is that the International Longshore & Warehouse Union might be ceasing labor negotiations with the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) on June 30th. This is the date that the International Longshore & Warehouse Union contract is set to expire. About 20,000 workers are covered by the contract.