A groundbreaking six-year master contract agreement between the largest union of maritime workers in North America, International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and a group representing employers of the maritime industry in the ports from Maine to Texas, United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), was officially signed on March 11.
The two sides signed an extension to the contract which will be effective October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2030.
The agreement, formalized in New Jersey, offers record-wage increases, ILA said, and benefits in contract that now is in effect until September 30, 2030.
The two sides hailed the new agreement as a “win-win” for both the ILA and USMX as it “protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernizing East and Gulf Coast ports.”
For ILA International President Harold Daggett, who led negotiations, the deal represents the “third successful six-year agreement he has orchestrated as the union’s chief negotiator.”
Daggett emphasized that they have achieved record-setting wage increases, full protection against automation and the best medical plan.
“We achieved a record-setting 62 percent increase in wages; full protection against automation; accelerated wages raises for new workers; full container royalty funds returned to the ILA; the best medical plan in our MILA national health care program that fully protects our ILA members and their families, and raises in contributions to money purchase plans,” said ILA President Daggett.
Paul De Maria, USMX executive vice president and chief operating officer and lead negotiator, noted: “This agreement received unanimous support from our USMX membership and furthers our mission to create modern and safe working conditions across the industry while continuing to focus on enhancing strong and efficient supply chains to ensure American companies can access the global marketplace.”
