US shipping group files suit as major strike looms

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A maritime group on Thursday asked a U.S. labor agency to enter into negotiations with a union ahead of a possible strike that could impact the national economy weeks before the presidential election.

The United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents shipping companies and terminal operators, said it has filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the International Longshore Association (ILA).

The complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board seeks to demand “the union return to negotiations – so we can negotiate a deal,” USMX said.

Tens of thousands of port workers on the East and Gulf coasts could walk out on Oct. 1 if there is no contract, threatening unrest ahead of the Nov. 5 vote.

The USMX statement cited the ILA’s “repeated refusal to come to the table,” adding, “we have a shared history of collaboration and are committed to negotiations.”

The ILA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The union had already accused the USMX of a “misleading advertising campaign”.

“The two parties have communicated several times in recent weeks,” said a September 23 ILA statement. “USMX continues to offer ILA longshoremen an unacceptable pay increase.”

The NLRB did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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