Tentative ports contract OK’d

The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) announced June 6 that it had reached a tentative agreement with U.S. Gulf and East coasts’ ports to extend its labor contract for six years, well in advance of its September expiration date. The tentative agreement still has to be ratified by ILA and port members of the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX). Full details of the deal were not made public. ILA President Harold J. Daggett and USMX Chairman David F. Adam only said that the tentative agreement was “beneficial to both sides." The master contract covers container royalties paid by ocean carriers, medical benefits, and wages across all covered facilities on the Gulf and East coasts’ coasts. Port-specific talks will continue between union locals and local port operators regarding work rules and pensions. Both ILA and USMX encouraged members to wrap up local negotiations by July in advance of a union-wide vote. (Source: Maritime Executive 06/06/18)