ILA and USMX Reach Tentative Six-Year Deal, Averting January 15 Port Strike

Jan 9, 2025, 12:43 AM

The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) have reached a tentative six-year contract agreement, averting a potential strike that was scheduled to begin on January 15 and would have shut down major East and Gulf Coast ports. The agreement, which includes protections against automation replacing jobs, still requires ratification. Both sides described the deal as a 'win-win agreement.' The union credited President Donald Trump for his role in facilitating the negotiations. Details of the agreement have not yet been disclosed, but it prevents a labor stoppage that could have significantly disrupted the U.S. economy by halting operations at vital shipping hubs.