PhilaPort statement on potential work stoppage

As you are aware there is a looming International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) strike that will impact the entire East and Gulf coasts. While PhilaPort has been monitoring the situation closely we are not directly involved in any of the negotiations.

The current ILA contract is set to expire at midnight on Monday, September 30, 2024. In Philadelphia, the ILA contract consists of two parts, the local contract, and the master contract. The local contract sets the wages and manning scale for breakbulk and ro-ro cargoes (paper, steel, wood pulp, lumber, fruit, & autos) within The Port of Philadelphia.

The local contract is negotiated between the Philadelphia Marine Trade Association (PMTA), an association made up of local employers, and ILA locals 1291, 1242, and 1566. The master contract sets the wages and manning scale for containers along the entire East and Gulf coast from Maine to Texas. The master contract is negotiated between United Stated Maritime Alliance (USMX) and the International Longshoremen’s Associations (ILA).

USMX represents employers of East and Gulf coast longshore industry. Membership consists of container carriers, including the largest carriers and all major marine terminal operators representing each port on the East and Gulf coast.

USMX and the ILA have been negotiating since late May of this year with little movement. The major issues at hand are wage increases, automation, and technology.

As of this writing, the master contract negotiations are not complete and all the signatory container terminals on the East and Gulf coast will likely strike on October 1st including our Packer Avenue Marine Terminal in Philadelphia. The PMTA and the local ILA have been in recent negotiations however, the local contract is still not signed which will likely result in the Tioga Marine Terminal, Pier 80, and Pier 122 being on strike on October 1st as well. Even if the local agreement were to be signed prior to the deadline it is unlikely the ILA would work breakbulk/ro-ro cargos absent a master contract agreement.