'Constructive' US west coast labour talks on course to seal a deal

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That is the view of senior industry consultant Anthony Scioscia who told delegates at the Intermodal Association of North America 2014 expo in Long Beach yesterday that in his view the tardy contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the employers’ Pacific Maritime Association were inching towards a deal. The view from the highly respected Mr Scioscia will no doubt give a boost to west coast shippers concerned that the continued absence of a new contract for the 20,000 dockworkers since the previous six-year deal expired on 1 July heralded trouble ahead. According to the National Retail Federation, stoppages could cost the US economy $2bn per day.