Port of SavannahPort 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.

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Source: Phaata.com (via FreightWaves)

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