Port strike postponed
Published 5:58 pm Thursday, September 20, 2012
The International Longshoremen’s Association has agreed to postpone a strike, which would have affected East Coast and Gulf ports from Oct. 1, for 90 days.
The ILA has agreed to postpone industrial action as a result of ongoing negotiations aided by federal mediators, Port of Virginia spokesman Joe Harris wrote in an email.
“During this 90-day period, the ILA and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) will continue both local and master contract negotiations,” Harris wrote.
“Had an agreement — temporary or permanent — not been reached, the labor action would have gone into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 1, and effectively halted cargo operations at ports from Maine to Texas.”
Operations at the Virginia port will continue as normal while negotiations between the two sides continues, Harris wrote.
The Virginia Port Authority and Virginia International Terminals Inc., have added a page on the VPA website providing localized strike updates.