USMX and ILA Approach Jan. 15 Deadline for New Agreement
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) announced on Friday that they will restart negotiations for a new master contract in November. Earlier this month, ILA members participated in a three-day strike, which saw 45,000 workers picketing and halted container and vehicle operations at 36 East and Gulf Coast ports.
The strike concluded after officials from the Biden administration facilitated an extension of the previous master contract until January 15, 2025. Subsequently, the parties agreed on a 62% pay increase over the six-year term of the new contract, pending negotiations on various issues, including automation in port operations.
Negotiators will convene in New Jersey to work on a new Master Contract Proposal, which will ultimately be submitted to the ILA Wage Scale Committee for approval and later voted on by ILA longshore workers for ratification.
“The ILA and USMX are eager to resume negotiations and finalize a new agreement promptly,” they stated. They also emphasized that they would refrain from discussing negotiation details with the media until the meetings have taken place.
