LYNDHURST, NJ. — Progress was made this past week in reaching a new Master Contract between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the US Maritime Alliance (USMX), but all that came to a halt when the issue of automation came up.

“Over the last two days, USMX met with the ILA to bargain and resolve all remaining outstanding issues needed to reach agreement on a new Master Contract,” USMX said in a statement on Nov. 13. “While we had positive progress on a number of issues, we were unable to make significant progress on our discussions that focused on a range of technology issues.”

The groups were prepared to negotiate for four intensive days of bargaining. However, when USMX stated their intent of introducing semi-automation to the ports late into the discussion on the second day, talks broke down.

According to ILA, the implementation of semi-automation is “a direct contradiction to [USMX’s] opening statement where they assured us that neither full nor semi-automation would be on the table.”

USMX said semi-automation would be a means of modernization.

“Unfortunately, the ILA is insisting on an agreement that would move our industry backward by restricting future use of technology that has existed in some of our ports for nearly two decades, making it impossible to evolve to meet the nation’s future supply chain demands,” USMX said. “The USMX has been clear that we are not seeking technology that would eliminate jobs. What we need is continued modernization that is essential to improve worker safety, increase efficiency in a way that protects and grows jobs, keeps supply chains strong, and increases capacity that will financially benefit American businesses and workers alike.”

In response, ILA said, “The ILA has always supported modernization when it leads to increased volumes and efficiency. For over 13 years, our position has been clear: we embrace technologies that improve safety and efficiency, but only when a human being remains at the helm. Automation, whether full or semi, replaces jobs and erodes the historical work functions we’ve fought hard to protect.”

ILA is concerned that the introduction of semi-automation now would pave the way for full automation down the road.

“We’ve seen this bait-and-switch strategy in other parts of the world and in other industries, and we will not let it happen on the East and Gulf Coasts,” the union said.

Although currently at a standstill, both parties voiced readiness to continue negotiations.

The groups have been preparing for a new Master Contract since Oct. 3, when they agreed on a tentative agreement extending through Jan. 15, 2025.

A few days before the tentative agreement, East and Gulf Coast port workers went on strike due to the expiration of their previous contract. The strike was the first on the East Coast since 1977.

Industry stakeholders like the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) do not appear concerned by the current negotiation pause.

“While USMEF is disappointed in this setback, there are still two months left on the contract extension that was agreed to in October,” a USMEF spokesperson told MEAT+POULTRY. “We urge both parties to live up to their commitment to keep cargo moving during this time and remain hopeful that they come to agreement on outstanding contract issues by Jan. 15.”