Port
workers and shippers on Thursday agreed to a 90-day contract extension,
averting a potential shutdown of up to 14 East and Gulf coast ports by early
October. Contract talks will continue with assistance of a federal mediator.
Federal
Mediation and Conciliation Service dir George Cohen said "progress was
made on several important subjects," leading to the extension through Dec.
29 by negotiators from the International Longshoremen's Assn and the US
Maritime Alliance.
The
current labor agreement would have expired Sept. 30.
