US port strike ends as ‘tentative agreement’ reached

 

In a joint statement on 3 October 2024, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) announced that they have “reached a tentative agreement on wages and have agreed to extend the Master Contract until 15 January 2025, to return to the bargaining table to negotiate all other outstanding issues”.

 

The statement continued: “Effective immediately, all current job actions will cease and all work covered by the Master Contract will resume.”

 

This marks an end to the first coast-wide strike since 1977 at ports from Maine to Texas, which began on 1 October. The dispute between the USMX and the ILA revolves around ‘wages and benefits’ for longshore workers at ports on the East and Gulf Coasts.

 

In a document entitled ‘Securing the 61.5% Raise: Understanding the Process’, the ILA and its president Harold J Daggett provided “additional clarification about the wage increase process”.

 

In the letter, Daggett says: “The ILA successfully negotiated a historic 61.5% wage increase spread over six years. This achievement is unprecedented and serves as testament to the union’s commitment to securing fair compensation for its members.

 

“However, it is critical to understand why we cannot take that raise immediately. This decision is a crucial part of the overall strategy that will allow us to negotiate and secure other important matters in the contract.” Read more

 

Source: LOGISTICS MANAGER

Back List Back