The International Longshoremen’s Association and United States Maritime Alliance have agreed to extend their contract negotiations for an additional 30 days, averting a crippling strike that was to begin Sunday on the East and Gulf coasts.
George H. Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, made the announcement this morning.
"I am extremely pleased to announce that the parties have reached the agreements set forth below as a result of a mediation session conducted by myself and my colleague Scot Beckenbaugh, Deputy Director for Mediation Services, on Thursday, December 27, 2012,” Cohen said in a statement.
“The container royalty payment issue has been agreed upon in principle by the parties, subject to achieving an overall collective bargaining agreement. The parties have further agreed to an additional extension of 30 days - until midnight, January 28 - during which time the parties shall negotiate all remaining outstanding Master Agreement issues, including those relating to New York and New Jersey,” Cohen said.
He declined to elaborate on the agreement on container royalties.
A negotiation schedule hasn’t yet been set.