ILA rejects extending contract beyond September 30, 2011

THE International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) has rejected a two-year contract extension beyond its termination in September 30, 2010 after a breakdown in talks over new technology and a delay in a wage increases due this October.

ILA president Richard Hughes is still in talks with the United States Maritime Alliance employers, said the ILA statement, but the 200-strong wage scale committee objects to delaying a wage increase, designed to offset the phasing out a system which paid less to less-experienced dockers.

(Source: www.schednet.com)