The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have reached a tentative agreement for a new six-year Master Contract, the union and employer body announced in a joint statement on Wednesday.
The announcement of the new agreement comes after negotiations broke down in November, and a long deadlock between the ILA and USMX regarding disputed points ensued, including the proposed automation of port facilities which the union vehemently opposed.
Both parties said in the statement that they had agreed to continue to operate under the current contract until the union could meet with its full wage scale committee to schedule a ratification vote and USMX members could ratify the terms of the final contract.
“We are pleased to announce that ILA and USMX have reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year ILA-USMX Master Contract, subject to ratification, thus averting any work stoppage on January 15, 2025,” the ILA and USMX said in the statement.
“This agreement protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernising East and Gulf coast ports – making them safer and more efficient, and creating the capacity they need to keep our supply chains strong.
“This is a win-win agreement that creates ILA jobs, supports American consumers and businesses, and keeps the American economy the key hub of the global marketplace.”
Details of the new tentative agreement will not be released to allow ILA rank-and-file members and USMX members to review and approve the final document.
