[110113.EN.SEA] US East Coast Docker Contract Talk Break Off, But Said To Resume

THE International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) broke off two days of scheduled negotiations on a local contract for New York-New Jersey dockers after objecting to employers' proposed changes.

But APL's Americas chief Gene Seroka told delegates at the American Import Shippers Association and US Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel conferences that contract negotiators for the ILA and management would meet on Thursday, reported American Shipper.

Failure to resolve the dispute risks a strike or lockout at 14 major US and east coast and Gulf ports, causing disruption in the flow of Asian cargo through both the Panama and Suez canals as well causing severe congestion at US west coast ports to where cargo would be diverted.

Mr Seroka said Monday through Thursday talks will continue between the union and the US Maritime Alliance (USMX), with members of the US Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service present.

As the contract had been extended to February 6, Mr Seroka said: "We are very optimistic because of the conversations that continue to take place and the scheduling that has been agreed to by both sides." 

Source : HKSG.