PMA-ILWU NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE THROUGH CONTRACT DEADLINE

PMA-ILWU NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE THROUGH CONTRACT DEADLINE    Negotiations between U.S. West Coast waterfront labor and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union were expected to continue through the expiration of the existing pact at 5 p.m. Monday.
   The Pacific Maritime Association, which represents terminal operators, stevedores, shipping lines and other employers, said it would “stay at the bargaining table for as long as it takes to reach agreement.'
   Joseph Miniace, PMA president and chief executive officer, urged the ILWU not to stage work slowdowns, as the union did during negotiations in 1996 and 1999. “Slowdowns severely disrupt the transportation system.”
   “If the union strikes with pay by staging slowdowns at the terminals, the PMA will be forced to consider a defensive shutdown. Miniace said. “The PMA will not engage in an offensive lockout of the ILWU. We want to be at the table negotiating an agreement without any disruption.”
   Steve Stallone, a spokesman for the ILWU, told AS+ the union wants “to continue talking and see this through until we have a new contract.
   “Our time and energy is going into the negotiations, instead of making statements,” Stallone said.
   Third-party observers noted the absence of rancor thus far on the part of both principals.
   “They seem to be concentrating on the issues at the table,” said one source. The PMA has pushed for modernization and efficiencies consistent with a “24/7” trade environment. The association also said Friday it would guarantee the ILWU that no current registered worker would lose his job as technology is implemented.
   The ILWU wants to preserve its accustomed five-day workplace practices, albeit with some concessions to the latest technology.