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To: maceng2 who wrote (201727)	11/2/2002 1:34:43 PM
From: maceng2	Respond to of 436258

All news is bullish US West Coast ports, dock workers reach tenative deal on key technology issues ananova.com Federal negotiators said West Coast port operators and longshoremen or dock workers have reached a tentative agreement on key technology issues separating the two sides, the Wall Street Journal reported in its online edition. This is the first sign of compromise among the parties whose rift led to a 10-day closing of West Coast docks last month. Details of the tentative agreement were not released by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the report said. But the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) previously stated that it was willing to implement new technology at the ports as long as the jobs related to it fell under its umbrella. The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), representing terminal operators and shipping companies, has resisted that demand. The mediation service indicated, however, that the agreement includes "retention of the union's jurisdiction for marine clerk work." The implementation of new technologies at the ports would eliminate about 600 jobs. The ILWU represents 10,500 workers. ILWU spokesman Steve Stallone also declined to provide details. But he said: "It's a major piece we accomplished." The two sides were slated to meet again later to discuss pension funding. Also remaining on the table: safety rules, arbitration and wage levels. The ILWU said it wants a share of the "increased wealth" new technology will bring in the form of higher pensions. "Pensions is the next important one," Stallone said. "Because without our getting a fair share, we don't have a deal." A PMA spokesman declined to comment Friday. Longshoremen returned to work on Oct 9 after the Bush administration invoked the Taft-Hartley Act to end a 10-day lockout instigated by the port operators. A federal judge is currently monitoring conditions on the docks, which have been marred by cross-accusations by the two parties about productivity. Last week, the PMA accused the ILWU of waging a slowdown, while the union responded that slow movement was largely the result of a lack of truck and train capacity. The Justice Department is reviewing the two arguments.