News / Atlantic and Gulf coast US ports close as ILA rejects last-minute offer

Photo: ILA

Some 36 major ports on the US east and Gulf coasts have now shuttered, despite a last-minute near-50% wage increase offer from employers’ association USMX.

In a statement the USMX said: “In the last 24 hours, the USMX and ILA have traded counter offers related to wages. The USMX increased our offer and has also requested an extension of the current master contract, now that both sides have moved off their previous positions.

“We are hopeful that this could allow us to ...