US east coast dock truce ends February 6, but hard talk still to come
"TOUGH NEGOTIATIONS" remain as February 6 approaches, marking the end of the US east and Gulf coast waterfront truce between the longshoremen's union and their employers, according to US federal mediator George Cohen.
The end of the agreed armistice comes to an end just as busiest period for the 15 affected container ports begins with the rush of cargo before China shuts down its factories for the week-long Chinese New Year holiday.
Employers the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) and the International Longshoremen's Association have agreed to much, but thorny issues remain, reports London's Containerisation International.
Management is adamant about securing changes in working practices, but the union considers present low-show and no-show jobs have become acquired rights over the years, and have already walked out of local talks in New York-New Jersey over this point.
"TOUGH NEGOTIATIONS" remain as February 6 approaches, marking the end of the US east and Gulf coast waterfront truce between the longshoremen's union and their employers, according to US federal mediator George Cohen.
The end of the agreed armistice comes to an end just as busiest period for the 15 affected container ports begins with the rush of cargo before China shuts down its factories for the week-long Chinese New Year holiday.
Employers the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) and the International Longshoremen's Association have agreed to much, but thorny issues remain, reports London's Containerisation International.
Management is adamant about securing changes in working practices, but the union considers present low-show and no-show jobs have become acquired rights over the years, and have already walked out of local talks in New York-New Jersey over this point.