Parties Saying Little About Latest Round of Longshoremen Talks

Parties to the longshoremen talks that resumed Jan. 15 had little to say about the negotiations for a new East/Gulf Coast national contract. U.S. Maritime Exchange Chairman James Capo told us only that the "talks are ongoing" and a spokeswoman for the New York Shipping Association said only that "contract talks on the master contract are ongoing." The current deadline for a resolution is Feb. 6 (see ITT's Online Archives 13011038).

A.N. Deringer said in a note to clients (here) that the federally mediated bargaining was in Galloway, N.J. It said both parties "apparently plan to stay longer at the bargaining table with the ILA stating they are prepared for three full days of discussions." This week's talks were focusing on work rules and practices in the union's supplemental local agreement for the Port of New York and New Jersey, Deringer said. The nationwide master contract is contingent on successful negotiation of local agreements, the biggest of which involves the New York Shipping Association.