The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) secured a significant victory on 9 April when 88 per cent of its members who voted and all its local unions backed the ratification of a six-year master contract for longshoremen (dock workers).
The master contract was negotiated by the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance of shippers, terminal operators and port authorities. It calls for wages increases, a speedier graduation for new members to achieve the top rate of pay, and full protection at no cost to them for their national health care plan. Management and the ILA will also explore ways to recapture traditional ILA jobs.
The union also plans to form an ILA steering committee to boost and expand its organising efforts in both the United States and foreign ports, involving the ITF, the International Dockers Council (IDC) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU).
ILA president and chief negotiator of the contract Harold Daggett commented: “This master contract and the formation of the ILA steering committee mean that the ILA is now well positioned for the future to serve our members and our industry. We can better help employers and port areas to improve productivity and profits, as the shipping world eagerly awaits increases in cargo volume with the widening of the Panama Canal and the expansion of worldwide trade.”
ITF dockers’ section secretary Sharon James commented: “We congratulate Harold and the ILA on this significant success for their longshoremen. We look forward to working ever more closely with them as they strengthen and expand their organising efforts.”
