Page 24: of Marine News Magazine (October 2024)

23 25

Column

Washington Watch

Under such injunction, the USMX and ILA would be sub- As such, the next Congress – undoubtedly including many ject to an 80-day colling offer period during which time rookie Congressmen whose views of the U.S. maritime in-

ILA workers would be required to continue working, giv- dustry are unknown – may be tasked with considering the ing the sides additional time to reach an agreement. Presi- most important maritime support bill since the Merchant dent Bush invoked the Taft-Hartley Act in 2002, following Marine Act of 1970. It took 54 years support bill of this an 11-day International Longshore and Warehouse Union magnitude to develop, and another bill of this importance strike, following the expiration of the union’s master agree- may not develop for another 54 years. As such, this elec- ment with the Paci