ILA negotiations pause after three-day strike

The USMX and the ILA came to a tentative agreement on a 62-percent wage increase over the next six years

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s a moment to celebrate for longshoremen at ILA Local 1426, as they have a tentative agreement on their Master Contract. It took less than a week for the longshoremen to stand in solidarity, waving flags and holding signs, opposing automated machines to get only part of what they wanted. As of Thursday evening, the United States Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen Association had reached a tentative agreement on a 62-percent wage increase over the next six years.

An ILA spokesman sent a statement to WWAY saying in part, “The International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance reached a tentative agreement on wages and will extend the master contract until January 15th, 2025… All work covered by the master contract will resume Friday.”

Thursday night, members of the ILA Local 1426 celebrated their small victory.

“At this time we’re not divulging what the final details are but, we’re just trusting him to bring forth and bring home a good contract like he always does,” says Samuel Brown III.

“This is a fight for the nation, for the working man against foreign corporations. A lot of people don’t understand that,” William High rebutted.

“The money is going off-shores so, it’s not going back to us. We buy it once the merchandise gets here. So, for us, we’re doing it for the nation and not the average worker,” Charles Jones adds.

Work at the port will resume Friday but the fight is not over because the contract only extends until January 15th, 2025.