The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) are set to restart formal bargaining negotiations on January 7, according to recent press reports. The talks come after a two-month pause, following a breakdown on November 12, when the ILA walked out after a day and a half of negotiations over disagreements on automation and technology.
In mid-December, President-elect Trump expressed his support for the ILA’s opposition to automation, a stance that has remained a central issue in the labor dispute. Meanwhile, USMX continues to emphasize the need for port modernization to sustain competitiveness and efficiency.
If the two parties fail to reach a tentative agreement, the possibility of an East and Gulf Coast port strike looms large, with labor actions potentially beginning as early as January 15.
Jose D. (JD) Gonzalez, President of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA), warned in his January 2025 President’s Message that a shutdown of these critical ports could significantly disrupt the national economy and the supply chain. The NCBFAA is actively collaborating with trade association partners representing importers and exporters to encourage the ILA and USMX to resolve their differences over port automation and reach a fair master contract, avoiding the severe economic repercussions of a strike.
The NCBFAA Transportation Committee is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to provide members with timely updates in the weeks ahead.