Automation continues to slow port labor negotiations

While negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) did not go as planned last month, with four days of scheduled meetings coming to an end after nearly two days, that has not stopped the parties from making their respective cases in regards to their specific needs for a new Master Contract.

As previously reported by Logistics Management, ILA and USMX resumed Master Contract discussions in November, “to discuss all outstanding issues to reach a new contract,” in advance of a Jan. 15, 2025, deadline for a new deal. This followed a brief three-day strike that started on Oct. 1 after the expiration of their previous six-year contract, which resulted in 36 East and Gulf Coast ports, stretching from Maine to Texas, going on strike for the first time since 1977.

“Unfortunately, the ILA is insisting on an agreement that would move our industry backward by restricting future use of technology that has existed in some of our ports for nearly two decades—making it impossible to evolve to meet the nation’s future supply chain demands.”

USMX said, at the time, that there was positive progress on a number of issues, but they were unable to make significant progress on discussions focusing on a range of technology issues.

“Unfortunately, the ILA is insisting on an agreement that would move our industry backward by restricting future use of technology that has existed in some of our ports for nearly two decades—making it impossible to evolve to meet the nation’s future supply chain demands,” said USMX.  

The ILA countered, saying that for the first day and a half of meetings last month, discussions were productive, and both sides engaged in addressing serious issues but talks subsequently broke down when management introduced their intent to implement semi-automation, which ILA labeled “a direct contradiction to their opening statement where they assured us that neither full nor semi-automation would be on the table.”

ILA added that USMX claimed their focus was on modernization, not automation. The ILA has always supported modernization when it leads to increased volumes and efficiency.

“For over 13 years, our position has been clear: we embrace technologies that improve safety and efficiency, but only when a human being remains at the helm,” said ILA. “Automation, whether full or semi, replaces jobs and erodes the historical work functions we’ve fought hard to protect.”

For more on the talks, read: In stalled ILA-USMX negotiations, automation dispute threatens new Master Contract talks

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