By Jamie Martin
A tentative six-year master labor contract has been reached between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX).
The agreement will cover East and Gulf Coast ports, ensuring the continued flow of goods while extending the existing contract until final ratification by both the ILA’s Wage Scale Committee and USMX members.
“This tentative contract agreement is great news for red meat exporters and for all of U.S. agriculture,” Dan Halstrom, President and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) stated.
“The assurance that there will be no work stoppage at East and Gulf Coast ports eliminates a cloud of uncertainty and bolsters the U.S. industry's reputation as a reliable supplier of pork, beef and lamb. On behalf of USMEF’s membership, I want to thank the ILA and USMX for reaching this agreement and ensuring the continued movement of cargo.”
The East and Gulf Coasts are crucial for agricultural exports, managing nearly half of U.S. pork exports and 30% of beef exports. Weekly, these ports handle red meat shipments valued at approximately $100 million.
Earlier, the USMX highlighted the dual priorities of wage increases and investment in technology and infrastructure to improve port efficiency. These measures aim to enhance safety and productivity while supporting economic growth.
“Evolving port operations and increasing wages and jobs for the ILA are not mutually exclusive. Modern technology is proven to dramatically increase the amount of cargo that can be moved through a port annually," stated the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd.
"ILA members make more money when they move more cargo, and ports need to hire more workers to manage that growth. Ultimately, these improvements serve to bolster U.S. industries by creating supply chains that are more resilient and efficient, which keeps cargo moving and helps manage costs and improves reliability for American companies that depend upon our operations every minute of every day.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-luoman
Categories: National