September 30th, 2024 – that’s the date when the current International Longshoremen’s Association contract expires. The ILA covers ports throughout the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts.
While things have been running smoothly, and many are hopeful that they will reach an early agreement, a recent snag has caused a halt in negotiations, per the Wall Street Journal.
Key Takeaways:
- ILA contract expires September of next year
- Concern is minimal right now, as there’s plenty of time remaining but stakeholders seek ‘stability’
Contract Expires September 2024
Back in March of this year, ILA President Harold Daggett told ILA members to break off talks.
This comes after Daggett has been in communications with the United States Maritime Alliance – who represents the port terminal operators and ocean carriers throughout the East and Gulf Coasts.
A spokesman for the ILA, James McNamara says contract talks aren’t likely to resume until after the union’s quadrennial convention that is held later this July, per WSJ.
As many remember, last month dockworkers out on the USWC reached a tentative agreement.
When comparing the two, there are different challenges in regards to the contract out on the East and Gulf Coasts vs the West Coast.
For instance, local union chapters on the USEC and USGC negotiate agreements separate from the master contract.
Additionally, as the WSJ notes, state employees in the southeast operate cranes that load and unload containerships. Though they still rely on the unionized dockworkers for other operations.
Importers Looking For Stability
Many in the industry are not worried about these negotiations, Jonathan Gold, Vice President at the National Retail Federation says. But he states that importers are keeping an eye on it as they value stability.
Looking Ahead
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