Container lines are now pushing for more automation on the US East and Gulf coasts as dockers refuse to discuss the January 15 strike date nears, reports New York's Journal of Commerce.
The United States Maritime Alliances (USMXs) newfound assertiveness was on display last week in a rejoinder to the International Longshoremens Association (ILA) blaming the contract impasse on rail-mounted gantry cranes sought by carriers:
'Modernization and investment in new technology are core priorities required to successfully bargain a new master contract with the ILA.'
This is the first issue-focused statement from USMX, which until December 3 had kept its messaging within negotiation updates. In comparison, the ILA has released a fiery video and multiple searing statements, including one even knocking USMXs 'weak publicity campaign.'
Carrier executives who dominate the board of the USMX say they are done with what they consider to be an overly passive approach demonstrated in recent months by USMX staff in the face of repeated provocations by ILA leadership.
carriers are still smarting from the Biden administration essentially forcing their group CEOs during an early October conference call to accept a 62 per cent pay increase over six years, which ended a three-day strike.
'The carriers were assured by USMX that things would work out, that [ILA President Harold] Daggett is only posturing, so they werent aggressive in communicating how bad a deal this was,' a knowledgeable source told the Journal of Commerce.
'In retrospect, we were advised to stay out of the spotlight, not engage in a fight in the media, [and] allow Harold to sound off unchecked, without resistance.'
According to two sources, frustration with that strategy led to recent changes in responsibility among senior staff at USMX. At least among some of the carrier members of USMX, theres a preference to take a harder line even if that means another ILA strike that is likely to draw in the new Trump administration.
SeaNews Turkey
The United States Maritime Alliances (USMXs) newfound assertiveness was on display last week in a rejoinder to the International Longshoremens Association (ILA) blaming the contract impasse on rail-mounted gantry cranes sought by carriers:
'Modernization and investment in new technology are core priorities required to successfully bargain a new master contract with the ILA.'
This is the first issue-focused statement from USMX, which until December 3 had kept its messaging within negotiation updates. In comparison, the ILA has released a fiery video and multiple searing statements, including one even knocking USMXs 'weak publicity campaign.'
Carrier executives who dominate the board of the USMX say they are done with what they consider to be an overly passive approach demonstrated in recent months by USMX staff in the face of repeated provocations by ILA leadership.
carriers are still smarting from the Biden administration essentially forcing their group CEOs during an early October conference call to accept a 62 per cent pay increase over six years, which ended a three-day strike.
'The carriers were assured by USMX that things would work out, that [ILA President Harold] Daggett is only posturing, so they werent aggressive in communicating how bad a deal this was,' a knowledgeable source told the Journal of Commerce.
'In retrospect, we were advised to stay out of the spotlight, not engage in a fight in the media, [and] allow Harold to sound off unchecked, without resistance.'
According to two sources, frustration with that strategy led to recent changes in responsibility among senior staff at USMX. At least among some of the carrier members of USMX, theres a preference to take a harder line even if that means another ILA strike that is likely to draw in the new Trump administration.
SeaNews Turkey
