ILA

While there are no new major developments in the ongoing stalemate in labor negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance, that has not slowed down the public exchanges between the two parties as shippers Peak Season plans for moving cargo in and out of East and Gulf Coast ports hang in the balance.

NITL chief tells LaHood that his members—many of whom are responsible for making freight transportation decisions using all modes in both the U.S. and globally —would be adversely impacted by any shutdown of the nation’s ports.

In a letter to ILA President Harold Daggett and USMX Chairman and CEO James Capo, NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said that the NRF is urging both parties to immediately resume contract negotiations, with the September 30 deadline creeping up.

Where there once appeared to be hope regarding avoiding a labor strike at East and Gulf cost ports, there are now, again, apprehensions over a potentially damaging labor-related squabble that could have a significant impact in shippers’ Peak Season operations planning.

On August 22, the ILA said its union’s negotiating sub-committee, known as the 20-member committee, meets with the employer's smaller negotiating committee in Delray Beach, Florida. And it added that the ILA and USMX have scheduled three days of meetings with this committee on August 22-24 and will likely call full Wage Scale meetings in early September.

Officials from the International Longshoremen’s Association, the largest union of maritime workers in North America, and the United States Maritime Alliance, an alliance of container carriers, direct employers, and port associations serving United States-based East and Gulf Coasts, recently reported progress is being made on negotiations for a new labor contract.

With a September 30 deadline looming, The International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance remain in negotiations on a new contract this week in Delray Beach, Florida.