Progress on longshoremen negotiations

The current master labour contract that the ILA and USMX are negotiating covers 14 ports on the East and Gulf of Mexico Coasts which expires on September 30,2012. A failure to sign a new contract could lead to a potential shutdown of key East Coast ports, requiring a significant shift of US cargo volumes to be diverted to the West Coast.

The two sides announced agreement in principle on issues involving the introduction of new technology and automation as well as maintenance and repair of chassis at the East and Gulf Coast ports. No date has been set for the next round of negotiations which must be concluded before September 30. The ILA and USMX are seeking a new six-year contract that will expire in 2018.

The USMX is an alliance of 43 members comprising carriers, marine terminal operators and port associations serving the US East and Gulf Coasts.
Source: (Alphaliner)