Longshoremen authorize year-end strike

The International Longshoremen's Association President Harold Daggett has been authorized by ILA delegates to call a strike if bargaining impasse not settled before the union's contract expires December 29, 2012.

An ILA strike would affect container and roll-on, roll-off cargo covered by the ILA-USMX coast wide master contract. The ILA would continue to work breakbulk cargo and cruise lines that employ ILA labor but are not covered by the master contract. Perishables and military cargo also would be exempt.