U.S. Port Strike Averted

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) reached a tentative six-year agreement.

The union representing 45,000 dock workers on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts and their employers has resolved key disputes.

The agreement offers a balanced compromise: terminal operators and ocean carriers gain the right to implement semi-automated cranes and other efficiency-boosting technologies. At the same time, the union secures guarantees for new high-paying jobs tied to each piece of equipment.

Although the terms of the agreement were not disclosed, both have agreed to operate under the current contract until a new contract is ratified, which will likely stretch into the summer.

Source: Released Joint Statement