ILWU, PMA CONTRACT TALKS ON HOLD UNTIL MID-AUGUST

ILWU, PMA CONTRACT TALKS ON HOLD UNTIL MID-AUGUST    Contract talks in San Francisco between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association have been suspended until August 14.
   ILWU spokesman Steve Stallone, said Friday ILWU negotiators were “burned out,” and that vacations had been planned for August before “anyone knew the talks would go on so long.”
   Before leaving the negotiating table, both parties agreed to continue their 24-hour contract extension until Aug. 13. Their day-to-day extension can be terminated at any time by one side or the other.
   Joseph Miniace, president of the PMA, said, “I am surprised and disappointed that the union has decided to curtail negotiations for nearly three weeks. At this critical juncture in these talks, it is essential that we work through our differences in order to hammer out an agreement.
   “It is hard to imagine what could be more important to the members of the ILWU than getting back to the table and securing a new contract. Delay will not bring us any closer to an agreement … it will only cause uncertainty for our economy, and for millions of U.S. workers whose jobs depend on West Coast trade,” Miniace said.
   A spokesman for the Port of Los Angeles told AS+ Friday that business in that port was being conducted as usual, “without any delays or problems.”