Maritime bargaining moves ahead

Leaders of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) representing labor at West Coast ports, and the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA), which represents workers on the East and Gulf Coast ports, have signaled readiness to start bargaining discussions some two years ahead of the scheduled June 2019 and 2018 expiration dates respectively of current contracts. The early discussions are attempts to avoid the labor strife affecting East and Gulf Coast ports in 2012-13 and West Coast ports in 2014-15, maritime industry consultant Anthony Scioscia told the Coalition of New England Companies for Trade’s 21st annual conference. ILWU and the Pacific Maritime Association, representing management, are scheduled to meet April 21. If approved, and an ILWU caucus being scheduled April 24, the proposal may be sent to workers for a vote, which generally takes about 90 days. ILA and Unites States Maritime Alliance Ltd., a management group of container carriers, terminal operators, and port associations on the East and Gulf coasts, met in February for informal discussions about negotiations. Once the ILA forms a "wage-scale committee," discussions will move forward, Scioscia says. The current East-Gulf Coast six-year contract expires Sept. 30, 2018. (Source: DC Velocity 04/19/17)