We all saw it coming…the automation argument. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) ended talks with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving due to disagreements over automation.
USMX has agreed to maintain the existing level of automation in the current contract, and the ILA is objecting to any further implementation of automation, including gates and cranes.
Upon the expiration of the current contract on September 30th, the ILA went on strike. After three days and intense lobbying by the Biden Administration, ILA members went back to work in exchange for USMX agreeing to a 62% pay increase and both sides agreeing to a contract extension until January 15, 2025.