'Progress' Reported in Longshoremen Talks, But No Details; Talks to Continue

The International Longshoremen's Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance "made progress" during three days of negotiations Jan. 15-17 in New Jersey on a new East/Gulf Coast contract, said Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director George Cohen in a statement. He said the parties "have agreed that the negotiations will continue under our auspices,” but provided no additional details.

“Due to the sensitivity of these negotiations, we will have no further comment at this time,” Cohen said. Neither the union nor the shippers group had further comment.