The provisional agreement is valid until January 15, thereby seeking to extend the negotiation period.
U.S. dockworkers and operators reached a provisional agreement that ends a three-day strike affecting maritime transport on the East Coast and the Gulf Coast. The situation concludes with a pact that includes a 62% wage increase over the next six years, according to a joint statement from both parties reported by Reuters.
This agreement raises the average wage of dockworkers from $39 to $63 per hour, a measure aimed at meeting the demands of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which initially sought a 77% increase. Meanwhile, the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) had previously proposed an increase of around 50%.
The labor stoppage, the longest in nearly 50 years, interrupted the unloading of container ships and raised concerns about potential shortages of essential products like food and auto parts. Additionally, according to estimates from JP Morgan analysts, the strike would have caused daily losses of approximately $5 billion to the U.S. economy.
Despite the progress made, the agreement extended until January 15, 2025, leaves several issues unresolved, with automation being one of the most critical points. Workers fear that port automation projects could jeopardize numerous jobs.
Regarding the agreement, U.S. President Joe Biden described it as a “decisive step” toward a stable, long-term contract.
Source: MundoMarítimo
