Cracks in the wall: unity of West Coast port employers is fraying as technology deal is struck between ILWU and PMA. (Ports).

For many years, West Coast port employers were a fractious group that could never seem to agree on a common agenda. U.S. shipping lines, foreign-flag carriers, independent terminal operators and terminals owned by shipping lines brought differing agendas to contract negotiations with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union--and the ILWU exploited the employers' weaknesses mercilessly.

When this year's negotiations began on May 13, the Pacific Maritime Association appeared to be a united group of employers. The PMA had secured the support of major importers and exporters through the West Coast Waterfront Coalition. The coalition said it would support the PMA in its attempt to negotiate a contract that would modernize the ports. Shippers …