The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have tentatively agreed on a new six-year master contract. Though pending approval by local unions and USMX members, the deal addresses key issues, including port automation, while protecting jobs and modernizing operations.

“This agreement protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernizing East and Gulf coasts ports—making them safer and more efficient and creating the capacity they need to keep our supply chains strong,” the two sides said in a joint statement.

Automation has been the sticking point in negotiations. In early December, the ILA singled out semi-automated rail-mounted gantry crane as a deciding issue, causing talks to break down.

The agreement has come just ahead of the January 15 deadline. Until ratified, 45,000 dockworkers will remain under their current contract, with union leaders expecting broad support.

Source: Journal of Commerce