East, GC ports’ negotiations end early

East and Gulf Coast labor negotiations between employers and unionized dockworkers got off to a shaky start this past week after union leaders walked out of contract-extension talks. The main point of disagreement was how ports define automation, according to the International Longshoremen’s Association. Earlier this year, ILA President Harold Daggett said the issue of job losses due to technology would be central to these negotiations to extend the current contract, which ends next September. He pledged to prevent container terminals from automating to the same degree as European ports. ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance Ltd., which represents terminal operators and container shipping lines at ports from Maine to Texas, had agreed to meet Dec. 5-6 in south Florida, but talks ended early on Day 2. USMX issued a statement that it expects the talks to continue “at some point in the future.” It is not clear when the next formal meeting will take place. (Source: Wall Street Journal 12/07/17)