After twice avoiding strikes in
last-minutes moves over the last four months, negotiators reached agreement that
averts a Feb. 6 strike at and shutdown of 14 East and Gulf ports.
The tentative agreement between
US Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen's Association was
announced on Saturday by federal mediators. Federal Mediation and Conciliation
Service (FMCS) Dir George Cohen said the agreement, which is pending approval
by both groups' union members, was proof of the value of unions.
