Harbor strike averted: agreement between dock workers and shipping companies

Harbor strike averted: agreement between dock workers and shipping companies

A possible, paralyzing strike situation on the east and golf coast of the USA was at least averted. On Wednesday, the port workers and the shipping companies as well as the port companies concluded a preliminary contract.

Details on the preliminary contract

The United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), the group that represents shipping lines and port lines and terminal operators, has reached an agreement for a period of six years together with the International Longhoremen’s Association (ILA), a union that represented 50,000 members and provides around 25,000 jobs at 14 port authorities. However, the contract only applies if it is ratified by the members of the union.

risk of a strike averted

joint explanation of Ila and USMX

"We are pleased to announce that Ila and USMX have made a preliminary agreement", according to the two sides in a joint explanation. "This agreement protects the existing ILA workstations and creates a framework for the implementation of technologies that create more jobs, while the East and Gulf Coast ports are modernized- more secure and more efficiently designed and create the necessary capacity to keep our supply chains strong."

advantages for the American economy

"This is a Win-win agreement that creates ILA jobs, supports American consumers and companies and strengthens the American economy as an important hub of the global market," added the two sides.

economic security and innovation

In October, the ILA and USMX had already reached an agreement on wages, which led to the end of a three -day strike. The workers returned to their jobs while the negotiators returned to the table to work out the remaining contractual terms. The negotiators met on Tuesday for the first time since mid -November.

automation as a central topic

The agreement achieved on Wednesday includes all other points, including automation, which was a central concern of the union because it feared that jobs could be lost.

The situation continues to develop and is updated.