[260812.EN.SEA] Mass Cargo Diversion Threat As US East Coast Longshore Talks Collapse

TALKS have collapsed between the US east coast International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and their employers of the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), sparking fears of a mass cargo diversion to west coast ports ahead of a legal strike date of September 31 when the contract expires.

Protested USMX negotiator James Capo: "The ILA's posture is contrary to the history of cooperation that has characterised these negotiations in the past and, since 1977, has led to agreements without any disruption to the supply chain and port operations on the east and Gulf coasts."

ILA spokesman James McNamara raised the possibility of a strike for the first time since talks began in March, reported the Charleston's Post and Courier.

Mr McNamara said the union would likely ask the USMX to present their full contract proposal, rather than continuing with committee meetings. "If we review it and reject it, and September 30 arrives, then we are likely looking at a strike," he said.

Mr Capo said employers wanted to address "archaic practices", among them, the "low-show" jobs that pay some ILA members for 24 hours of work even if they are only on the job for a few hours a day.

ILA president Harold Daggett has argued that some on are on-call 24 hours a day, referring to a shop steward who was paid US$400,000 a year, a figure he did not dispute when questioned, only saying the shop steward was a member of a "very good union".

In recent days, fears have been expressed in the Port of Savannah over the possibility of a strike despite frequent reports of goodwill from both sides.

Sources told the Hong Kong Shipping Gazette in Savannah that the ILA is sticking by its demand to have men paid to do no work or hired to work on shifts for which they would not turn up.

Employers are said to be resisting union featherbedding to guarantee pay for ILA men who do not work because of enlarged work gangs unrelated to cargo-handling needs, a development which is also the result of union demands.

Source : HKSG.