ILA Affiliates With International Dockworkers Council, As Sides Report Progress
The International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO, plans to affiliate with the worldwide International Dockworkers Council, said ILA President Harold Daggett. "We are looking to build strong solidarity with waterfront workers in the United States and around the world," Daggett told 200 ILA Wage Scale delegates gathered in Delray Beach, Fla., July 19 for negotiations with U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX). "The ILA enjoys strong bonds of solidarity with our sister union on the U.S. West Coast, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and with transportation workers around the world through our affiliation with the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF)." The ILA leader said he announced his union's affiliation at Wage Scale meetings to fortify the union's bargaining position with East and Gulf Coast employers belonging to USMX. The current ILA contract expires Sept. 30.
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Meanwhile, ILA and USMX said they have made "significant progress" in their negotiations, resolving a number of key issues toward reaching agreement on a new contract. The two sides announced agreement in principle on issues involving the introduction of new technology and automation and maintenance and repair of chassis within marine terminals and at off-pier facilities at the East and Gulf Coast ports. In a joint statement (here), Daggett and USMX Chairman James Capo said: "We're pleased that we were able to resolve some important issues and look forward to continuing bargaining to reach agreement on the remaining issues in the current negotiations."
Capo and Daggett also directed management and ILA locals to begin bargaining on local port issues. Since 1977, the two sides have successfully negotiated nine new Master Contracts without any disruptions in operations, they said.