ILA, USMX contract talks stall

Labor contract talks between the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) stalled last week after the ILA announced a breakdown in negotiations over the topic of automated technology.

The two sides came to the bargaining table last week, but after a day and a half, talks ceased when USMX negotiators introduced their intent to implement semi-automation, ILA leaders said in a bargaining update on the union's website. By raising the topic of semi-automation, the USMX negotiators contradicted their opening statement in which they "assured us that neither full nor semi-automation would be on the table," ILA leaders said.

The breakdown in talks comes with about two months before ILA members at East and Gulf Coast ports may begin a new strike. On Oct. 3, the ILA and USMX reached a tentative agreement on wages and have agreed to extend the master contract until Jan. 15, 2025, to return to the bargaining table to negotiate all other outstanding issues.

The tentative deal was reached days after the ILA initiated a work stoppage at East and Gulf Coast ports. Among the union's key concerns is the potential use of automation at the nation's ports.

In its bargaining update, USMX officials said they are "not seeking technology that would eliminate jobs."

"What we need is continued modernization that is essential to improve worker safety, increase efficiency in a way that protects and grows jobs, keeps supply chains strong, and increases capacity that will financially benefit American businesses and workers alike," they said. "We look forward to resuming negotiations with the ILA.”