The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) today warmly welcomes the news that the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year Master Contract, narrowly averting strike action that would have crippled US East and Gulf Coast ports. This breakthrough, which comes ahead of the January 15 deadline, will extend the current contract by a month while the ratification process is underway. Paddy Crumlin, ITF President and Dockers’ Section Chair, hailed the ILA’s resolve: (....)