International Longshoremen’s Association

Port deal averts strike ‘disaster,’ but caution urged on container rates

A tentative East and Gulf Coast port labor contract is expected to have a calming effect on container shipping rates, but an array of other, still-unresolved, issues warrant caution throughout the supply chain.

“The agreement between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) must be welcomed because a strike had the potential to be a supply chain and economic disaster, but it highlights the difficulties facing shippers in managing supply chain...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/port-deal-averts-strike-disaster-but-analyst-urges-caution-on-container-rates

ILA, USMX reach contract agreement on automation, avoiding port strike

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year master contract. The agreement will replace the expiring contract which had been extended after a short strike in October 2024. 

The two groups issued a joint statement late Wednesday evening, saying “the two sides agreed to continue to operate under the current contract until the union can meet with its full Wage Scale Committee and schedule a...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ila-usmx-reach-agreement-avoiding-strike-at-us-ports

Report: ILA, USMX met on port automation

Union dockworkers and employers have taken the first steps toward reaching an agreement on the use of container-handling automation that would avoid a crippling strike at U.S. Eastern Seaboard and Gulf coast ports.

Leaders of the International Longshoremen’s Association and United States Maritime Alliance met in private Sunday in an effort to find a way forward on the issue of automation, which has been a major obstacle to a new labor agreement covering tens of thousands of longshore workers. 

The...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/report-ila-usmx-met-on-port-automation

Maersk urges container pickup ahead of potential port strike

The world’s second-largest container carrier wants shippers to clear out their boxes from U.S. Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Coast ports ahead of a possible longshore strike Jan. 15.

Maersk, in an advisory posted Monday to its website, also asked shippers to return empty containers prior to the expiration of the extension of the current dockworkers contract.

The update from the Denmark-based operator reflected weeks of uncertainty over the drawn-out maritime labor stalemate. But it came before news...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/maersk-urges-container-pickup-ahead-of-potential-port-strike

Source: ILA, USMX restart contract talks ahead of deadline for possible port strike

Negotiations on a new longshore union contract covering East and Gulf coast ports will resume just days before the current contract extension is set to expire.

Bargaining between the International Longshoremen’s Association and port employers represented by the United States Maritime Alliance are scheduled to resume Jan. 7, little more than a week before the current contract extension expires Jan. 15, according to a source who spoke to FreightWaves on the condition of anonymity.

The decision to...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ila-usmx-to-resume-contract-talks-ahead-of-possible-port-strike-deadline

Hapag-Lloyd US port strike surcharges to go into effect same day as Trump inauguration

Ocean container carrier Hapag-Lloyd announced two surcharges ahead of a potential strike by unionized longshore workers at U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports in January.

The Work Disruption Surcharge (WDS) and Work Interruption Destination Surcharge (WID) are effective Jan. 20, 2025, in the event of a strike, the German company said in an announcement on its website. 

“This surcharge covers additional costs from labor disruptions, strikes, slowdowns, unrest, congestion, and other unforeseen events...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/hapag-lloyd-us-port-strike-surcharges-to-go-into-effect-same-day-as-trump-inauguration

Analysis: Port strike or no port strike?

Is it game over for U.S. East Coast port employers?

That was the initial feeling when President-elect Donald Trump publicly backed the International Longshoremen’s Association in its bitter fight to keep container automation technology out of Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Coast ports.

Trump, who’s made a habit of ruling by social media fiat, doubled down a few days later by reposting a Facebook post by ILA Executive Vice President Dennis Daggett describing the meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/analysis-port-strike-or-no-port-strike

Trump again backs longshore union as possible port strike nears

President-elect Donald Trump over the weekend doubled down on his opposition to automation as a possible strike by union dockworkers at East and Gulf Coast container ports draws closer.

On Saturday, Trump reposted to more than 8 million followers on his social media platform, Truth Social, a Facebook message by Dennis Daggett, International Longshoremen’s Association executive vice president, praising Trump for his support of the union in its protracted contract fight with employers at Eastern...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trump-again-backs-longshore-union-as-possible-port-strike-nears

Apparel importers call for labor talks to resume, say port automation ‘vital’ 

Apparel and footwear importers on Friday called for a resumption of port labor contract talks after President-elect Donald Trump publicly backed the East Coast longshore union.

“We welcome President-elect Trump’s commitment to strengthening United States ports and appreciate his efforts to meet with the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) President Harold Daggett and Executive Vice President Dennis Daggett,” said American Apparel & Footwear Association Chief Executive Steve Lamar, in...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/apparel-importers-call-for-labor-talks-to-resume-say-port-automation-vital

Shippers urge longshore union, employers to resume contract talks

With just weeks to go until a contract extension runs out, a coalition of shippers is urging East and Gulf coast port employers and union longshore workers to resume negotiations to avert another port strike.

In a letter to International Longshoremen’s Association President Harold Daggett and David Adam, chairman and chief executive of the United States Maritime Alliance, a coalition of 267 trade associations led by the National Retail Federation said it was “imperative” for the sides to return...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/shippers-urge-longshore-union-employers-to-resume-contract-talks

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