East and Gulf Coast ports longshore union contract negotiations will resume just days before the current contract extension is set to expire.

According to sources who spoke to FreightWaves on the condition of anonymity, bargaining between the ILA and port employers represented by USMX are scheduled to resume January 7th – as current contract extension is set to expire January 15. An individual close to the negotiations, stated that the sides have been talking informally, though neither the ILA nor the USMX have confirmed the resumption of bargaining.

A work stoppage like the one by 45,000 ILA members in October would shut down container handling at dozens of port and maritime centers from Maine to Texas. 

There have been no formal negotiations since early November when the ILA broke off talks, stating that employers were trying to force automated container handling technology into a new contract in a bid to eliminate union jobs.

The USMX responded by saying that semiautomated cranes were desperately needed on the docks to improve efficiency and make U.S. ports globally competitive. The employers said the resulting increased container volumes would actually help create more union jobs.

Some ocean carriers are asking shippers to pick up and return empty containers prior to the expiration of the contract extension to help mitigate any potential disruptions at the terminals as well as cancelling bookings and voyages in certain trade lanes.

Following a three-day strike by 45,000 ILA workers in October, both sides agreed to a 62% pay raise over a new six-year master contract and current contract extension while resuming negotiations.

John S. Connor is committed to keeping you informed and will share any updates or new developments as they arise.