Dear
Catherine"Cathy",
OHL recently
received word that negotiations on a new contract between the
International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and employers represented
by the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) broke off abruptly this afternoon.
The ILA and USMX were slated to mainly discuss
container royalties - payments that are made to longshoremen based on the
weight of containerized cargo. USMX has wanted to cap those payments at
existing levels and eliminate royalties for new hires.
The ILA has been reported to have said they are
willing to extend the contract to Feb. 1st and keep talking if
USMX would be willing to take the container royalty cap off the table. In
exchange the ILA would be willing to show USMX other ways to offset the
royalties.
Reportedly USMX declined the ILA’s offer and in
turn the ILA said they plan to strike as of Dec. 29th unless
they hear back from USMX before then.
Dave Adam, senior vice president and chief
operating officer of USMX, said "employers are willing to continue
to bargain in good faith," but that the ILA had put terms on the
extension that were unacceptable.”
OHL will
continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure we are ready to
re-route cargo as needed. The contingencies being planned will be subject
to the underlying carrier’s service and availability.
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