The global shipping industry’s fear of a new port strike on the United States East Coast seems to have been averted after the agreement between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX).
The two organizations have reached a tentative agreement on all items for a new six-year Master Contract. 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 ratification vote, and USMX members can ratify the terms of the final contract.
“We are pleased to announce that ILA and USMX have reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year ILA-USMX Master Contract, subject to ratification, thus averting any work stoppage on January 15, 2025,” the two sides said in a joint statement. “This agreement protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernizing East and Gulf coast ports – making them safer and more efficient, and creating the capacity they need to keep our supply chains strong.”
The two industry bodies pointed out: “This is a win-win agreement that creates ILA jobs, supports American consumers and businesses, and keeps the American economy the key hub of the global marketplace.”
According to the joint statement, the details of the new deal will not be released to allow ILA rank-and-file-members and USMX members to review and approve the final document.
