Dock Workers Reach Tentative Six-Year Deal

The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) reached a tentative six-year contract, averting a potentially crippling strike of 45,000 dock workers along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts. The agreement is seen as a 'win-win' for both parties, preserving current jobs and establishing a framework for technology implementation that aims to modernize ports while increasing safety and efficiency. A key issue, automation, remains unresolved, with further discussions planned before final ratification. The deal follows a previous strike in October, which ended with a significant wage increase for workers. President-elect Donald Trump was credited by union leaders for his support in facilitating the agreement, marking a political victory as he seeks to sway union support from Democrats. This tentative accord must still be ratified by both the union's Wage Scale Committee and USMX members before becoming final.