Still No ILA Contract as Deadline Looms
Months after a temporary wage agreement ended a brief three-day strike, ocean carriers and U.S. dockworkers remain at an impasse on a new master contract. While the agreement appeared to be a sign that a new contract might be in the works, the January 15, 2025 expiration of that agreement is looming large with no further progress since October.
The United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) has predominantly kept their messaging focused strictly on negotiating updates with the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA), while the ILA has launched multiple accusatory statements on their website.
The USMX changed that strategy earlier this month when they released a statement harping on the need for further automation at ports across the U.S. east and gulf coasts. They essentially blamed the contract hold-up on the ILA’s unwillingness to budge on the automation issue.
In their eyes, automation is crucial to advancing the effectiveness and efficiency of American ports. They also claim this will create more jobs and opportunities for dockworkers in the U.S.
Naturally, the ILA responded with their own scathing rebuttal to the USMX points. They argue that the USMX manipulated the data and statistics in their statement to make U.S. ports look worse.
All this has led to renewed chances of another strike hitting in January. Crucially, the presidential election is behind us so political posturing shouldn’t play as large of a role in the current negotiations.
The USMX felt pressured by President Biden to agree to the current temporary wage agreement and appear less inclined to give in to outside pressure this time around. However, during the original strike, President-elect Trump expressed his support for the union workers so it remains to be seen if he will intervene in negotiations.
Timing is another factor to consider as we approach the negotiation deadline. With the current agreement set to expire on January 15 and the presidential inauguration set for January 20, there may be no government intervention until after a potential strike would have started.
Scarbrough will monitor the negotiations and provide updates as necessary. Please reach out to your representative if you have questions or concerns regarding your freight or deliveries.
