October 1 Wage Increase at Risk Again?
New Bargaining Meeting Scheduled 9/29
Master Contract Bargaining Update #7, September 22, 2009

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In a last minute move to settle a master contract deal which would give away our 2009 wage increase, ILA President Richie Hughes has scheduled negotiations in Orlando, Florida two days before the wage increase goes into effect.

This move substantiates rumors that the USMX has sweetened the offer by reducing the wage freeze from one year to six months and by improving the offer on the wage tiers, but is still refusing to talk technology.

The Journal of Commerce quoted management saying, “Our members are adamant, they are not going to allow the ILA to veto technology.”

Just weeks after the ILA Wage Scale Committee unanimously rejected USMX’s “Best & Final” offer, the employers have still not given in on the important issues facing longshore workers.

Neither Hughes or the USMX are providing information about the new proposal they plan on presenting. Based on the last round of negotiations ILA rank-and-file must remain vigilant about the actual details and small print.

The LWC believes the union must stand by the demands it presented to management last February.

• End to the wage tiers: the union’s demand was three years or 3,000 hours, whichever comes first. The USMX’s most recent offer did not come close.

• Full local negotiations with the right to strike.

• Maintain funding for local benefit plans and our health care, MILA.

• Improve safety by negotiating coast-wide standard for containerized cargo.

• Address technology:
1. End the Container Royalty Cap, so workers can share in our increased productivity.
2. Bring back the Guaranteed Annual Income to protect present workforce from job loss.
3. Expand ILA jurisdiction and organizing to cover new work created by technology.
4. Limit the use of superintendents on technology.

LWC delegates will continue to stand up for ILA members in negotiations. We are prepared to move against a bad contract, if necessary. And we will help the ILA prepare for its future.

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