The association representing East and Gulf Coast port employers said Thursday "there is forward movement" toward resolving some of the issues that have recently stalled talks.
Labor contract negotiations hit a bump in June when the International Longshoremen’s Association canceled a planned meeting with employers association United States Maritime Alliance — more simply known as USMX — citing the use of automated truck gates at multiple ports.
Since then, shippers and other stakeholders have expressed fears a labor deal will not be reached before the contract expires on Sept. 30. In response, shippers are beginning to divert some cargo to the West Coast. In a May briefing, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said some shippers shifted fractionally back towards the West Coast while the Port of Long Beach also said higher volumes processed in June were due to ongoing labor negotiations.
The ILA, which represents 85,000 workers at 100 East and Gulf Coast ports, has threatened to strike if a contract is not reached by Sept. 30.
Earlier this month, the ILA also issued a statement doubling down on the notion that it will not resume contract talks until the auto gate issues were addressed and resolved.
“We will not entertain any discussions about extending the current contract, nor are we interested in any help from outside agencies to interfere in our negotiations with USMX,” ILA President Harold Daggett said in a statement. “This includes the Biden Administration and the Department of Labor.”
Meanwhile, the USMX said it’s ready to continue talks with the union.
“To avoid any further disruption to the cargo flow and/or damage to our nation’s economy, USMX remains ready, willing, and able to return to the bargaining table with the ILA to resume Master Contract negotiations and to reach a new Master Contract agreement,” the association said in a statement.
