U.S. Labor Chief Eyes Dockworker Talks Amid Disruption Fears

U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh said he’ll be closely watching West Coast dockworkers’ contract talks in coming months, and is ready to get involved as needed, amid concerns about potential disruptions that could add to supply-chain problems fueling inflation.

“I don’t foresee an issue today in the negotiation,” Walsh said in an interview Tuesday. “I’ll monitor it very closely, because at the end of the day, the last thing we want to do is see any further disruption. The American people don’t need disruption.”

A labor contract covering about 22,000 West Coast dockworkers, at sites including the pivotal Los Angeles ...