Amid Strike Threat, ILA, USMX Meet on Port Automation

Port of Savannah (Source: Georgia Ports Authority)

Longshoremen and union employers have taken the first steps toward reaching an agreement on the use of container-handling automation to avoid a major strike at U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports.

Leaders of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the United Maritime Union (USMX) met separately on Sunday in an effort to find a way to address the issue of automation, which has been a major obstacle to a new labor deal that would cover tens of thousands of longshoremen.

The deal to expand port automation technology would also create more union jobs, but port operators are reportedly protesting the increased costs after agreeing to a 62% pay raise for workers following a three-day ILA strike in October.

Another strike could shut down container operations at dozens of ports from Texas to New England if a new pact is not reached before the current contract extension expires on Jan. 15.

Formal negotiations on a new six-year master contract are scheduled to resume Tuesday.

President-elect Donald Trump has backed the union’s anti-automation stance in December.

An ILA spokesperson said the union had no comment. USMX did not immediately respond to messages.

See more:

• International shipping and logistics market update - Week 1/2025
• Shipping Lines Adopt Surcharges Ahead of East Coast Strike Threat
• Top 12 Most Notable Topics in Air Transport in 2024
• Early Tet demand continues to put pressure on container rates on Asia-US trade
• DSV forecasts flat air freight demand and capacity in 2025
• Shanghai Sea-Rail Container Transport Hits 900,000 TEUs
• Fitch Upgrades Global Container Shipping Outlook
• Growing demand could drive up air freight costs for shippers by 2025
• Maersk: Lunar New Year, labor disputes and port congestion to challenge European shipping market in 2025
• IATA: Air cargo volumes forecast to grow 5.8% in 2025
• Air Cargo Takes ‘Wait-and-See’ Approach to US Tariffs and Positive Demand Outlook for 2025

Source: Phaata.com (via FreightWaves)

Phaata.com - Vietnam's First International Logistics Marketplace

► Find Better Freight Rates & Logistics Services!