ILA and USMA officially sign six-year master contract agreement at ceremonies in NJ

Leaders from the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd., (USMX) today officially signed an extension to their Master Contract that will be effective October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2030. The two sides hailed the new agreement as a “win-win” for both the ILA and USMX as it “protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernizing East and Gulf Coast ports.”

For ILA International President Harold Daggett, this new agreement represents the third successful six-year agreement he has orchestrated as the union’s Chief Negotiator. and it is by far the best package ever for the tens of thousands of ILA members covered under the new master contract package.”

“I am proud to have produced this new agreement with the help of my ILA Wage Scale Committee for my ILA members,” said ILA President Daggett. “We achieved a record-setting 62 percent increase in wages; full protection against automation; accelerated wages raises for new workers; full container royalty funds returned to the ILA; the best medical plan in our MILA national health care program that fully protects our ILA members and their families, and raises in contributions to money purchase plans.

“I am grateful to USMX for negotiating a new agreement that recognizes the contributions ILA members have made to build this industry, and help it grow and prosper,” added ILA President Daggett. “I am proud of my ILA members who withstood a three-day strike in October 2024 and remained strong and united to help bring about this landmark agreement.”

“This agreement received unanimous support from our USMX membership and furthers our mission to create modern and safe working conditions across the industry while continuing to focus on enhancing strong and efficient supply chains to ensure American companies can access the global marketplace,” said Paul De Maria, USMX Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and lead negotiator.

The ILA and USMX expressed optimism for their collective futures with labor peace now guaranteed for the next six years.