ILA and USMX Announce Progress in Contract Negotiations

Tentative agreements reached during "productive" bargaining sessions 

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., July 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO, (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) reported today that they have made significant progress in their negotiations, resolving a number of key issues toward reaching agreement on a new contract.

Concluding three of four days of scheduled negotiations, the two sides announced agreement in principle on issues involving the introduction of new technology and automation and maintenance and repair of chassis within marine terminals and at off-pier facilities at the East and Gulf Coast ports. 

"We had a productive session in Florida," ILA president Harold J. Daggett and USMX chairman and CEO James A. Capo said in a joint statement.  "We're pleased that we were able to resolve some important issues and look forward to continuing bargaining to reach agreement on the remaining issues in the current negotiations."

"The East and Gulf Coasts ports are crucial to the health of the nation's economy and we take seriously our responsibility to reaching an agreement without any disruption in the supply chain and operation of the 14 ports," they said.  

Capo and Daggett also directed management and ILA locals to begin bargaining on local port issues. 

Since 1977, the two sides have successfully negotiated nine new Master Contracts without any disruption in operations. The current contract, which expires Sept. 30, took effect in 2004 and was extended for two years in 2010.

USMX represents employers of the East and Gulf Coast longshore industry, including 24 container carrier members, including the 10 largest carriers worldwide, and every major marine terminal operator and port association on the East and Gulf Coasts.

The ILA represents 15,000 members working at Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports from Maine to Texas.

SOURCE International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO