Negotiations update August 28, 2002

            The ILWU Negotiating Committee gathered at the PMA offices at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday as scheduled, but the employers were not ready to talk until 3:00. When the parties finally met, the union passed two documents across the table.

            The ILWU’s first proposal was on increasing port security. As requested by the employers the day before, the union presented a security blueprint for the industry to be implemented as we await a comprehensive plan from the government. The letter calls for the union and the employers to jointly develop a security plan for each port and for any work covered by the contract that needs to be done for security to be done by ILWU members. It also calls for container seals and empties to be inspected. (See attached letter for details.)

            The union’s second package was a demand document that included the union’s original technology proposal. The employers stated that they needed time to review the document and would get back to the union Thursday regarding future meetings.