East Coast ports dispute: More talks

DECEMBER 26, 2012  — With a contract extension set to expire December 29, the parties involved in the U.S. East Coast ports dispute have agreed to meet.

On December 24, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service released the following statement:

“FMCS Director George Cohen has called a meeting of the ILA and the Maritime Alliance in advance of the December 29th expiration of the contract extension. The parties have agreed to attend. Due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations FMCS will have no additional comment at this time.”

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., with 10 district offices and 67 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.