Final Kick of the East Coast Port Strike Can?

A week before the previous agreement was set to expire, we saw this week a tentative agreement on a six-year contract between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance.

That’s right – a lot of words to explain one thing: the east coast port strike can has been kicked again, but we may be ready finally to pick it up.

The two sides agreed to continue to operate under the current contract until the union can meet with its full Wage Scale Committee and schedule a ratification vote, and USMX members can ratify the terms of the final contract.

In discussing the ongoing potential for a strike earlier in the storyline, AgWeb’s Jim Wiesemeyer reported (https://www.agriculture.com/deal-reached-to-avert-second-east-gulf-coast-port-strike-8772036) that the strike could have significantly impacted exports of chilled or frozen meat, eggs, and other livestock products, which are primarily shipped in containers.

In a joint statement from the two sides, they say that, “This is a win-win agreement that creates ILA jobs, supports American consumers and businesses, and keeps the American economy the key hub of the global marketplace.”