The Pacific Maritime Association has reached a tentative three-year contract extension July 28 with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) in preventing potential work slowdowns. The two groups reached the contract extension, which was due to expire in 2019. PMA negotiates labor agreements on behalf of West Coast port operators. The extension is subject to final confirmation by the ILWU, and is expected next week. The contract covers workers at all 29 West Coast container ports. (Source: California Apparel News 07/28/17)
UPDATE: GULF COAST PORTS Cargo companies and the International Longshoremen’s Association union, representing longshoremen workers at Gulf and East Coast ports got an early start on contract negotiations back in February. The ILA held informal talks with the United States Maritime Alliance Ltd. in Florida. There are some 25,000 Atlantic and Gulf Coast union port workers. The February meeting came 19 months before the current contract is set to expire Sept. 30, 2018. A top ILA leader confirmed in May 2017 that the union was confident negotiations will go well and that an agreement will be made prior to the contract’s expiration. Local contracts are in different stages of negotiations. The Western Gulf ports are using an interest based bargaining technique in hopes to find common issues and develop solutions that both sides can agree upon. (Source: Trans American 05/17/17)
Shipbuilding and maritime related news from the Central Gulf Coast region
