Port strike ends, but issues remain

Labor peace is now restored for 36 United States-based East and Gulf Coast ports following a brief but heightened period of uncertainty. The ports had been shut down for the better part of three days after the expiration of the previous six-year contract between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) at 12:01 AM ET on Monday, October 1.

The parties had been at odds for several months leading up to the end of the contract, covering union dockworkers, with concerns growing about the prospects of reaching a new deal in time.

However, a joint statement issued Thursday night by the ILA and USMX clarified that a long-term strike would not occur.

“The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. (USMX) have reached a tentative agreement on wages and have agreed to extend the Master Contract until January 15, 2025, to return to the bargaining table and negotiate all other outstanding issues,” the statement read. “Effective immediately, all current job actions will cease, and all work covered by the Master Contract will resume.”

In the months leading up to tonight’s announcement, the ILA had held firm, making it clear it would not compromise on key demands, with a primary focus on securing higher wages and protections against fully automated ports.

For more details on the agreement, read: East and Gulf Coast ports’ strike comes to an end, with ILA and USMX reaching a tentative agreement

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