ILA is Uncompromising, says USMX

ILA President Harold Daggett says their resolve remains strong.

Chairman and CEO of the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), James A. Capo, who is currently in labour discussions with the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA), has called their leadership "uncompromising" and that they "view bargaining as a one-way street that leads only in their direction." 

"Throughout the course of the negotiations, USMX has given due consideration to ILA demands and shown its willingness to compromise on issues such as automation and chassis repair. It is disappointing that ILA negotiators have refused to give the same consideration to issues that concern USMX and the employers it represents," he said.

The two parties are currently engaged in talks to renegotiate a $1.8 billion master contract that was due to expire on September 30, 2012, now extended to December 29, 2012, and covers some 14,500 jobs on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts.

USMX wants to new technology that will increase the capacity of the ports and attract investment, with Capo saying this week that "the current economic reality demands that we improve efficiency and productivity."

Container Royalties are another sticking point, with ILA President Harold Daggett saying last week that preventing a cap on the payments is one of the "key battles" it faces, and he was "disappointed that USMX continues to post on its website its unwavering position" on the matter.

USMX responded Tuesday saying they need to "begin to control," not eliminate the Royalty payments, which it calls "bonuses", so it can use the extra money to help pay for benefits for ILA workers.

ILA had originally threatened to strike in September before a 90 day extension for talks was agreed, but with the new end date fast approaching the ILA says its "resolve remains strong."

"I pledged to my rank-and-file members that I would not agree to anything in the Master Contact that would take away any of our hard won gains of the past," said Daggett.

"I know we will achieve success because of the unity and solidarity of the ILA."