ILA & USMX Reach Tentative Six-Year Contract Agreement

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year master contract, successfully averting a potential strike that could have disrupted operations on the US East and Gulf coasts.

The agreement, announced just days before the current contract’s expiration on January 15, ensures that the existing contract will remain in effect until the ILA’s full wage scale committee can review and schedule a ratification vote. Similarly, USMX members will need to approve the final terms of the deal.

In a joint statement, the two parties shared their satisfaction with the agreement: “We are pleased to announce that ILA and USMX have reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year ILA-USMX master contract, subject to ratification, thus averting any work stoppage on January 15, 2025. This agreement protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernizing East and Gulf coast ports – making them safer and more efficient, and creating the capacity they need to keep our supply chains strong.”

Specific details of the tentative agreement will not be disclosed until both ILA members and USMX representatives have reviewed and approved the final document.

Trump’s Support a Key Factor

Harold Daggett, international president of the ILA, credited president-elect Donald Trump’s intervention as pivotal in securing the agreement.

“He’s a hero to our ILA union and members,” said Daggett. “President Trump gets full credit for our successful tentative master contract agreement.”

Averting a Crisis

This tentative agreement follows months of negotiations and a tense lead-up to the January 15 deadline. After a three-day strike in October, the ILA and USMX had reached a temporary agreement on wages, halting the walkout until further talks could take place.

In November, both sides resumed discussions to address unresolved issues in the expiring contract. However, talks broke down over disagreements surrounding the use of semi-automated cranes. Trump’s public support for the union became a critical factor in reigniting discussions and ultimately securing the tentative deal.

With this agreement, East and Gulf coast ports are set to avoid major disruptions, ensuring continued efficiency and stability for the supply chain.