The International Longshore Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) came to a tentative agreement on January 8th, before the January 15th deadline. The agreement staved off a waterfront strike that would have stopped the flow of goods on the US East and Gulf Coasts, and the industry breathed a sigh of relief.
Back in October, the two parties agreed to a nearly 62% pay increase over the six-year term of the contract.
The remaining sticky-wicket was automation, and the ILA was staunchly against it in any form. A compromise was reached that allows terminals to modernize while protecting union jobs.