IDC expresses support to ILA in UMSX dispute

The 140-member International Dockworkers Council (IDC) has expressed strong support and solidarity with International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) President Harold J. Daggett in the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) dispute.

“You can count on our full support in this struggle that is so important for the present and future of our industry,” the IDC wrote in a letter signed by Dennis A. Daggett, IDC General Coordinator; Jordi Aragunde, IDC International Labor Coordinator and the six IDC global zone coordinators.

“The IDC are closely monitoring this concerning issue. We are fully award of the impact that the dispute with APM-Maersk..is having on these crucial negotiations.”

On 11 June, the ILA cancelled Master Contract discussions with USMX after learning that APM Terminals and Maersk Line use an Auto Gate technology that processes trucks without ILA labour.

This method, first discovered in the Port of Mobile, Alabama, is apparently being utilised at other ports as well.

International President, Harold J. Daggett, who serves as Chief Negotiator for the union, said: “There’s no point trying to negotiate a new agreement with USMX when one of its major companies continues to violate our current agreement with the sole aim of eliminating ILA jobs through automation.”

The ILA President extended appreciation to the IDC for their prompt declaration of support.

In February, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it would not hear a South Carolina coastal port dispute between the state and dockworkers at the Port of Charleston’s Leatherman Terminal.