ILA and USMX Avoid Work Stoppage with New Six-Year Contract

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) reached a tentative agreement on all items for a new six-year Master Contract on January 8, per a joint press release.

The two sides agreed to continue to operate under the current contract until the union can meet with its full Wage Scale Committee and schedule a ratification vote, and USMX members can ratify the terms of the final contract, per the joint statement.

“We are pleased to announce that ILA and USMX have reached a...

ILA and USMX Set to Resume Talks as Port Strike Threat Looms

Talks between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), the union representing over 45,000 dockworkers from Maine to Texas, and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) are set to resume on January 7.   

ILA and the USMX reportedly met in private on January 5 as both sides try to reach an agreement over the primary automation issue that has been raised since talks last stalled in November, according to industry publication FreightWaves.

The contract between the ILA and USMX, which represents ports and ocean carriers, expires on January 15...

NCC Joins in Urging ILA, US Maritime Alliance to Return to Bargaining Table

NCC recently joined hundreds of organizations representing American manufacturers, farmers and agribusinesses, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, importers, exporters, distributors, transportation and logistics providers, and other supply chain stakeholders, in a letter urging both the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance to return to the bargaining table with the goal of reaching a new labor contract before the new Jan. 15 contract expiration date.

“We know significant issues remain between the parties,” the groups wrote. “However, we continue to believe the only...