# Automation May Make ILA USMX Negotiations Contentious - Universal Cargo

> The ILA ran a surprise labor slowdown at the Port of Charleston's Wando terminal over a new automated gate system, forcing manual chassis inspections and truck backlogs. The episode is seen as a preview of automation disputes ahead of the East and Gulf Coast ILA-USMX contract expiring next year.

- Date: 2017-01-31 · published 2017-01-31T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: logistics · region US · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/73016-automation-may-make-ila-usmx-negotiations-contentious-universal-cargo
- Commodities: [Barge Freight (St. Louis)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/BARGE.md), [Ocean Grain Freight](https://feedsoft.ai/c/OCEANFRT.md), [Wheat (SRW)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/WHEAT.md)

## Why it matters

Labor friction at US East Coast ports raises the risk of future export delays for grain and meal, but no contract action has occurred yet, so the price impact is limited for now.

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| WHEAT | 2023-10-27 | [Canada's Seaway Strike Negotiations Continue](https://feedsoft.ai/events/33669-canada-s-seaway-strike-negotiations-continue.md) | +2.0% | +1.2% |
| WHEAT | 2018-05-30 | [CP Rail train crews go on strike as contract negotiations fail, talks continue - The Globe and Mail](https://feedsoft.ai/events/65032-cp-rail-train-crews-go-on-strike-as-contract-negotiations-fail-talks-continue.md) | -0.6% | -2.8% |
| WHEAT | 2022-05-21 | [Canada: Docks deal concluded after 4 years of negotiations - The Federation of International Employers - FedEE](https://feedsoft.ai/events/41440-canada-docks-deal-concluded-after-4-years-of-negotiations-the-federation-of.md) | -2.2% | -3.2% |
| WHEAT | 2017-09-25 | [ILA, USMX make early moves toward contract talks \| Journal of Commerce](https://feedsoft.ai/events/68949-ila-usmx-make-early-moves-toward-contract-talks-journal-of-commerce.md) | -7.1% | +2.9% |
| WHEAT | 2024-04-26 | [Possible dual railway strike looms as contract negotiations remain stalled - RealAgriculture](https://feedsoft.ai/events/30758-possible-dual-railway-strike-looms-as-contract-negotiations-remain-stalled.md) | -2.3% | +21.2% |

## Sources

- universalcargo.com: https://www.universalcargo.com/automation-may-make-ila-usmx-negotiations-contentious/

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.