Members of the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), the coastwide umbrella organization for 43 carriers, terminal operators, and port associations on Wednesday ratified a six-year master contract for labor at East and Gulf Coast ports. Rank and file members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) gave final approval to the contract last week in its ratification vote last week.  It was reported that 88 percent of ILA members approved the coast-wide contract.  The final approval  of the six-year master contract by both sides ends a long period of contentious negotiations and threats of the ILA’s first coast-wide strike since 1977.

“The final approval of the master contract will come as welcome news to shippers, shipping companies, port operators, and the tens of thousands of American workers whose livelihood depends on the smooth operation of the ports,” said David F. Adam, chairman and CEO of USMX.  He also praised Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director George H. Cohen for helping to keep the negotiations on track.

A few supplemental local contracts covering work rules and other port-specific issues remain incomplete.  The crucial local contract covering the Port of New York and New Jersey has been ratified by the ILA and the New York Shipping Association.  A tentative agreement has been reached for the Hampton Roads port.  Workers in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Mobile, approved the master contract last week and will vote separately on their local agreements.