On December 10, 2012, the Journal of Commerce (JOC) issued an article announcing that a strike in the ports of the East and Gulf coasts has been authorized by the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA), if a contract agreement with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) is not reached by December 29.
The JOC mentioned that both sides met today in Delray Beach, Fl, to discuss the contract.
Expeditors will continue to monitor the situation, and will provide more updates once available.
The JOC article can be found online here.