As the deadline for a return to strike activities along the U.S. East and Gulf coasts looms, leaders of the International Longshoremen’s Union (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) are working overtime to reach a deal on automation at those ports.
On 6 January, CNBC reported the two parties had met clandestinely on 5 January to plan for the resumption of formal talks on 7 January. The meeting reportedly produced new language on automation, which, if approved by the bargaining committee, will give the union the right to add jobs to compensate for automation-related job loss.
The new language has reportedly led to concerns about ...
