Negotiations Bring An End To US Port Strike Fears

Negotiations between the ILA and USMX resumed from Tuesday and appear to have brought an end to fears of a US Port strike, less than a week before it was due to start.

The talks were widely considered to be the last chance of finding a way of avoiding a strike across 36 US East and Gulf Coast ports and overnight reports suggest a ‘tentative’ agreement  has been reached on all items for a new six-year master contract. 

The two sides have agreed in principle to continue using the current contract until the new agreement can be ratified through a vote by ILA members.  

In October, workers only agreed to return until January 15th on the understanding that all outstanding contract issues would be finalised and that now seems to be resolved.

The two parties have issued a joint statement that reads “We are pleased to announce that ILA and USMX have reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year ILA-USMX Master Contract, subject to ratification, thus averting any work stoppage on January 15, 2025”

Atlantic Pacific continue to monitor the situation, which is looking a whole lot better than it was at the beginning of the week.