ILA Secures 6 Year Contract
More than 45,000 dockworkers represented by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) have overwhelmingly ratified a new six-year contract, securing labor peace at 36 major U.S. ports until 2030. The agreement, reached with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), includes a record 62% wage increase, boosting the hourly base rate from $39 to $63, making longshore workers among the highest-paid blue-collar workers in the country.
Key Highlights of the Agreement
✅ 62% Wage Increase – Raising the base rate to $63 per hour
✅ Job Security – Protections against automation threats
✅ Faster Wage Growth – Accelerated raises for new ILA workers
✅ Enhanced Benefits – Strengthened healthcare and higher retirement contributions
✅ Stability for Supply Chains – Ensuring uninterrupted operations at major U.S. ports
This deal follows an October 2024 strike that briefly disrupted supply chains and drove up shipping costs. While wages were agreed upon then, negotiations over automation continued until January 2025, with support from the White House playing a key role in finalizing the deal.
ILA President Harold Daggett called the agreement the “richest contract in ILA history,” estimating its cost to employers at $35 billion. He emphasized that the deal not only secures fair wages but also protects jobs from automation, ensuring long-term job security for dockworkers.
The ILA and USMX will officially sign the contract on March 11, 2025, solidifying a deal that brings much-needed stability to the maritime industry amid ongoing global trade uncertainties.
Source: International Longshoremen’s Association