Ovet strikes costly labour deal

Longshoremen are back on the docks at US east and gulf coast ports, but the ILA has not contractually accepted the negotiated wage increase, and there are still issues to resolve.

As the clock ticks down to 30 September, the USMX has filed an unfair labour practice charge with the National Labour Relations Board.

The USMX states it is committed to resuming negotiations with the ILA and keeping the process private to resolve local issues and avoid disrupting cargo flow and the economy.

ILA President Harold J. Daggett warns a strike at Atlantic and Gulf Coast Ports is increasingly likely as the contract deadline approaches.

The union is trying to wind the clock back on technology as it cancels negotiations over a new labour contract.

An appeal court has denied an attempt to overturn an earlier ruling allowing the ILA to sue USMX member carriers that use the new Leatherman terminal in Charleston, where crane drivers are non-ILA labour