The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) has halted negotiations with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) over a new labour contract. The ILA, which represents 85,000 union workers at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, cancelled talks after discovering that automated technology was being utilized by APM Terminals (APMT) and Maersk without the involvement of union labour. ILA President Harold J. Daggett strongly condemned this act, accusing USMX members of violating their agreement by using automation to eliminate ILA jobs.
The use of an ‘auto-gate’ system at the Port of Mobile, Alabama, was initially identified by ILA, sparking a dispute over the breach of the current agreement with USMX. The union has made it clear that negotiations will not resume until the issue of auto-gate technology is addressed. While Maersk denies the allegations and asserts compliance with the ILA/USMX Master Contract, the conflict highlights the escalating tension between the two parties as the September expiry date of the master contract approaches.
Past labour disputes and strikes have disrupted freight processing at ports, leading to significant trade disruptions and delays in the past. With the possibility of increased demands from the ILA for a favourable economic deal and opposition to port automation, the uncertainty surrounding the future negotiations between ILA and USMX raises concerns about potential strikes that could impact trade flows and cargo handling activities in the upcoming months.
