Cargo firms, union reps in early talks

Cargo companies and a union that represents longshoremen at East and Gulf Coast seaports are getting a head start on contract negotiations with informal discussions in Florida this week. The International Longshoremen’s Association held talks with the United States Maritime Alliance Ltd., which represents some 25,000 unionized Atlantic and Gulf Coast port workers. The discussions Feb. 15 in Delray Beach were “productive and fruitful,” the union and maritime alliance said in a joint statement. The meeting comes 19 months before the current contract expires Sept. 30, 2018. Exploratory talks began in 2016, after protracted and contentious labor negotiations at West Coast seaports led to slowdowns and port congestion. (Source: Wall Street Journal 02/16/17)