How do side letters function within the ILWU contracts?

Side letters within ILWU contracts serve a crucial role by supplementing the main agreement. These documents are intended to address specific issues or negotiations that arise outside the standard terms of the primary contract. Side letters can clarify, modify, or add provisions that are not explicitly detailed in the main contract, allowing parties to respond flexibly to varying circumstances or needs that may arise during the contract period.

For instance, if there is a unique situation at a particular terminal or a specific operational challenge that needs to be managed, a side letter can provide tailored guidance or stipulations that ensure that those issues are handled appropriately, without the need to renegotiate the entire contract. This allows for greater precision in contract management and helps maintain good relationships between the parties involved by addressing specific concerns directly and expediently.

The other choices do not accurately represent the function of side letters. They are not distractions from the main contract, nor are they independent agreements; rather, they are intrinsically linked to the main contract as supplements. While side letters can potentially affect allocations of hours, their primary purpose is broader, aiming to clarify and enhance the existing terms rather than just focusing on hour management.