Post by dockworker on Sept 2, 2009 22:26:08 GMT -5
The Journal of Commerce Online
Longshore Union Rejects Contract Extension
Joseph Bonney Sep 3, 2009
‘Unanimous’ ILA vote may push bargaining into next year
International Longshoremen’s Association delegates unanimously rejected a proposed two-year extension of the ILA's contract for Atlantic and Gulf dockworkers on Wednesday.
The vote by the ILA's 200-member wage scale committee left it unclear when negotiations will resume for a contract to replace the current six-year agreement covering Atlantic and Gulf coast port workers, which remains in effect until Sept. 30, 2010.
ILA President Richard Hughes had convened negotiations with management's United States Maritime Alliance in hope of reaching an early agreement that would deter shippers from diverting cargo next year in anticipation of a possible work stoppage.
The ILA’s last two contracts have been settled months ahead of their expirations. But many ILA representatives, including Executive Vice President Harold Daggett, favored delaying talks on a new agreement until next year, in hope the economy will rebound and strengthen the union's position.
The negotiations for an extension fell apart after union delegates insisted on changes that would restrict management's right to introduce new technology through the life of the extended contract.
Delegates also objected to delaying a wage increase scheduled to take effect Oct. 1, the start of the final year of the current six-year contract. USMX proposed delaying the increase to help offset costs of phasing out a system of tiered wages that provides lower pay for less-experienced dockworkers.
After two days of presentations and debate on the extension proposed by management, "it was apparent that there was not any support for it," said ILA spokesman James McNamara. "A motion was made to reject the extension and it passed unanimously.
Tony Perlstein, co-chairman of the Longshore Workers Coalition, an insurgent faction that favors delaying negotiations until closer to next year's contract expiration, said numerous wage scale committee delegates spoke against the extension proposal. "This has made the ILA more united than ever," he said.