News online
ITF translations available: Deutsch, Español, Français, Svenska
Google free translation: Italiano, Norske, Português, Türk, 中国的, 한국의, Bahasa Melayu, ภาษาไทย, हिंदी, اردو,
தமிழ், Kiswahili, Русский, العربية
Contract victory for US dock workers
31 July 2008
A US union, representing more than 25,000 dock workers, has won a six-year contract deal following a lengthy round of negotiations.
The ITF-affiliated International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the employers’ group, the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), announced the preliminary deal in San Francisco on Monday. They reached the agreement during a marathon weekend bargaining session. The deal is set to cover more than 25,000 dockworkers at 29 west coast ports in the US.
The agreement must now be endorsed by members of the ILWU and PMA; in the meantime, both the union and the employers’ group have agreed to extend the existing agreement.
ITF Dockers' Section Chair Paddy Crumlin congratulated ILWU President Bob McEllrath and his team and stated: "The resolution at the negotiating table is a great breakthrough and an historic moment.”
He added: “It is an important development for all dockworkers, maritime workers, and transport workers in general."
Frank Leys, ITF Dockers' Section Secretary, added: "This is a good result gained in difficult times through dedicated negotiation.
"In London and in ports around the world, ITF dockers have been watching and waiting, and standing behind our colleagues in the ILWU as they sought to defend their members' rights at a time of international economic difficulty. Through solidarity and negotiation they and the PMA have pulled off a deal which seeks to protect workers and promote legitimate trade."
Back to current news online stories
view larger image
