ILA / USMX Contract Negotiation Update

Talks between the International Longshoremen's Association and employers represented by the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) ended abruptly this afternoon, Tuesday, December 18. 

Bernie Holland, executive vice president of the ILA, said the union would be willing to extend the contract to February 1, 2013 and keep talks open if management would agree to take the container royalty cap "off the table".  The USMX representatives refused. 

"I think we'll be on strike" ILA President Harold Daggett said.  He spoke after talks with a federal mediator failed to reach an agreement; the USMX were not available for comments.

As it stands today, the current contract is set to expire on December 29 unless negotiations resume and a new contract is ratified before that date.    

Liberty will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates through our global e-newsletter.