With just over a week to go before some 45,000 dockers at ports on the East and Gulf Coast are due to launch what would be a devastating strike, informed sources cited in media outlets have indicated that negotiations between the U.S. Maritime Alliance ((USMX) and the International Longshoremen’s Association are set to resume tomorrow. The ports involved, including New York/Jersey, account for about half of U.S. ocean trade.
A looming January 15 deadline is only days away from the inauguration on January 20 of President-elect Donald Trump. In mid-December, Mr. Trump issued a public statement throwing his support behind the ILA leadership in its fight against automation in U.S. ports due to the toll it would take on waterfront jobs. (See MM report of December 13)
The last round of negotiations broke down in November over the issue of automation, when ILA leadership walked away from the bargaining table.
The USMX has affirmed that the technology terminal operators want to install does not harm longshore employment and maintains such modernization is necessary to keep U.S. ports competitive. It also stated that an accompanying increase in container volumes would actually help create more union jobs.
The two sides have already agreed on wage issues, with the dockers set to receive a 62% pay increase over the six year life of a new contract.
(Photo of Port of New York)