ILA US east coast longshoremen demand redundant men be kept on payroll

THE International Longshoremen Association (ILA) is demanding job guarantees for every job lost through automation at ports of US east and Gulf coasts, ahead of contract negotiations with United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) due to end September 30.

Shippers nervously await an outcome which could see demand for government intervention to limit downtime from ILA workers, said an unnamed source in a report from London's Containerisation International.

Carriers are cushioning the potential blow of work stoppage in its peak season surcharge (PSA) to offset problems of scheduling, equipment and other service requirements, said TSA executive administrator Brian Conrad in an interview with London's Containerisation International.

ILA president Harold Daggett demands for job protection for members affected by automation has led to the employers group, the United States Maritime Alliance's (USMX) chief executive officer James Capo, criticising his lack of commitment to good faith bargaining ahead of wage negotiations taking place in coming days.