Contract negotiations for U.S. East and Gulf Coast dock workers has returned to the table on Monday, Dec. 10. Negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) continued. The master contract for Atlantic coast workers was set to expire Sept. 30 but the deadline was extended until Dec. 29  to avoid port strikes. The 3 day meetings in Delray Beach, Florida will negotiate terms regarding wages, benefits and  jurisdiction and for workers handling cargo shipped in containers.  This was explained by ILA Vice President James H. Paylor.

“There’s still a lot of work to do. It doesn’t mean it can’t be done. There’s got to be more understanding. The fact that they have the federal mediation involved in it, this helps move the process along. It creates another sense of optimism,”  said by ILA Vice President James H. Paylor

Paylor did not rule out the possibility of a strike but remained hopeful that such a scenario could be avoided.