East Coast Dockworkers' Talks Stall Over Automation Dispute

Negotiations between dockworkers and port operators hit a standstill as technology use remains a contentious issue.

Contract discussions between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) have failed to make significant progress on key issues.
The primary sticking point in negotiations is the use of automation at East and Gulf Coast ports, which the union argues threatens jobs.
Despite a tentative agreement on a 62% wage hike over six years, the resolution of automation issues is crucial for the contract to be finalized by the January 15 deadline.
The ILA previously ended a three-day strike in October, which was the first major strike at these ports in nearly 50 years, following intervention from the Biden administration.
Port employers assert that automation will not eliminate jobs, but the union remains firm in its opposition, having walked away from the latest negotiations.