June ’24 at-a-glance … supply chain

Contentious East and Gulf coasts port negotiations on the horizon 

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which staffs ports from Boston to Houston, announced its intention to “stand firm” in pending master contract negotiation with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) that represents ports on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts, plus container carriers worldwide. According to the ILA, USMX member companies that employee ILA labor have made but not shared record profits in recent years and have replaced ILA workers with technology. The contract expires Sept. 30.