On January 8, 2025, the International Longshoreman's Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) announced that they reached a tentative agreement for a new 6-year Master Contract a week before the previously stated deadline of January 15.
ILA and USMX will continue to operate under the current contract until ILA meets with its full Wage Scale Committee and schedules a ratification vote and USMX members ratify the terms. The complete details of the new agreement won't be made public until the membership of both sides review and approve the final document.
What people are saying
The two sides issued a joint statement: “We are pleased to announce that ILA and USMX have reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year ILA-USMX Master Contract, subject to ratification, thus averting any work stoppage on January 15, 2025. This agreement protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernizing East and Gulf coast ports -- making them safer and more efficient and creating the capacity they need to keep our supply chains strong. This is a win-win agreement that creates ILA jobs, supports American consumers and businesses, and keeps the American economy the key hub of the global marketplace.”
ILA President Harold J. Daggett said, “This tentative agreement is both a monumental and historical achievement that came about from hard work and dedication of ILA Wage Scale Delegates, fortified by the support of our entire membership. I want to thank my entire ILA membership for their steadfast cooperation.”
USMX Chairman and CEO David F. Adam issued a statement on January 9, 2025: "Today, following two days of intensive bargaining with the ILA, USMX members met to begin the formal review process to finalize the tentative Master Contract agreement. The agreement includes provisions that will increase wages, strengthen retirement and healthcare benefits, maintain current jurisdiction, and allow us to modernize our ports making them safer and more efficient, and building the capacity we need to keep the American economy the global leader in trade. The deal is a testament to the USMX and ILA’s shared commitment and long history of prioritizing creating a stronger future for our industry and protecting and creating good-paying American jobs.”
President Joe Biden also issued a statement: "Collective bargaining plays an important role when it comes to building a strong economy from the middle out and the bottom up. Today’s tentative agreement between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance shows that labor and management can come together to benefit workers and their employers.
I applaud the dockworkers’ union for delivering a strong contract. Their members kept our ports open during the pandemic, as we worked together to unsnarl global supply chains. Thank you to the carriers and port operators who play an essential role in our nation’s economy."
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