The specter of major shipping disruptions is again rearing its head as contract talks between the U.S. Maritime alliance and the International Longshoremen’s Association for East and Gulf coasts ports have broken down ahead the current six-year agreement’s Sep. 30 expiration, covering 36 ports from Maine to Texas and some 85,000 workers. ILA officials have indicated an Oct. 1 strike is on the table. Talks broke down after ILA leaders discovered automated processing of trucks at the Port of Mobile, AL, which union officials claim is in violation of the current ... Log in to view full article.