Negotiations for the contract covering longshore workers on the East and Gulf Coasts have been at a standstill since June 10, with the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) moving closer to a potential strike following the September 30 contract expiration. The ILA has scheduled a meeting for September 4-5 to deliberate on demands and strike strategies, having already issued a strike notice to the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), a requirement by federal law 60 days prior to a strike. The ongoing dispute, primarily over automation at ports like Mobile, Alabama, has halted public negotiations between the ILA and USMX.
The ILA represents dockworkers across the East and Gulf Coasts and the Great Lakes, contrasting with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which covers the West Coast, Hawaii, Alaska, and Canada. The ports under the ILA's jurisdiction include some of the nation's busiest, directly following Los Angeles and Long Beach in container volume.
The core issues of the 2024 negotiations include wages, benefits, and the threat of automation, with the ILA seeking significant economic concessions. Despite limited information, it is known that the ILA is pushing for a pay increase beyond the 32 percent over six years achieved by the ILWU. The ILA has highlighted automation as a violation of their current contract, emphasizing the economic disparities between their members and those of the ILWU, particularly in pension payouts.
Source: labornotes.org