Ports' contract talks still in limbo

American beneficial cargo owners (BCOs) and container lines may have to start their annual trans-Pacific rate and service negotiations without a new longshoremen labor agreement for the Gulf and East coast ports. Bargaining sessions by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) has been stalled since Dec. 6, when talks broke down after a dispute over the definition of automated terminals, which ILA President Harold Daggett opposed. ILA and USMX leadership hoped for an agreement on a contract extension, which would assure shippers scheduled to attend the Journal of Commerce’s (JOC) yearly Trans-Pacific Maritime (TPM) conference in California from March 4-7. The ILA prez told union officials to cancel plans to attend TPM, which suggests no extension is expected beforehand. The current ILA-USMX contract extends to Sept. 30. Shippers have been anxious for an early deal, which allows for supply chain plans without potential disruption from port shutdowns. ILA and USMX will resume negotiations on a Maine-to-Texas master contract, but no bargaining sessions have been scheduled. ILA had indicated it would be willing to delay negations until contract ends. But, Daggett directed ILA locals to continue local and regional agreements as supplements to a Gulf-East coast master contract. Local contract issues vary by port. (Source: JOC.com 01/14/18)