Houston holds the line

Ports announce reopening after the ILA and USMX reached a tentative wage deal, ending the strike that had disrupted operations.

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

The US Federal Maritime Commission said it would fully investigate and prosecute any violations of maritime laws and regulations during potential port closures.

USMX says it wants to negotiate, ILA says employers refuse to accept its bottom line on pay increases.

Harold Daggett to USMX: “Let me tell them and all of America the ILA most definitely will hit the streets on October 1st if we don’t get the kind of contract we deserve.”

Container traffic continued to increase at the Port of Houston in February, but the port says growth is slowing down and it anticipates “a general downward trend will likely continue over the next several months.”