A tentative deal has been reached between The United States Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) avoiding a potentially crippling strike by dock workers at 36 ports along the U.S East and Gulf Coasts.
Before finalizing the deal, a vote will be held among the ILA’s almost 50,000 union members. The ILA’s main concern is a push for automation and semi-automation on docks, which they believe would threaten job security. If an agreement is not reached, the port workers are scheduled to strike on the morning of January 16.
The details of the agreement were not released, however a previous strike by the ILA in 2024 ended in an agreement for a 62% pay increase over six years for ILA workers.
In a joint statement late Wednesday, the ILA and USMX said, “We are pleased to announce that ILA and USMX have reached a tentative agreement. This agreement protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernizing East and Gulf coast ports – making them safer and more efficient, and creating the capacity they need to keep our supply chains strong.”
They added, “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.”
President Joe Biden praised the deal, stating, “Today’s tentative agreement between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance shows that labor and management can come together to benefit workers and their employers. I applaud the dockworkers’ union for delivering a strong contract.”
By CEO NA Editorial Staff
