US port talks set to resume on Aug 4

[SACRAMENTO] Labour negotiations at 29 ports along the US West Coast will resume next week to head off a strike or lockout that could cost the US economy more than US$2 billion a day. Both sides describe talks as "productive".

Negotiators for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and management's Pacific Maritime Association are set to meet again on Aug 4 after discussions were paused on July 25 for unrelated contract talks in the Pacific Northwest, the union and the Association said.

The ports from San Diego to Bellingham, Washington, which contribute 12.5 per cent to the US gross domestic product, have remained open, and about 20,000 dockworkers have continued loading and unloading cargo since their contract expired on July 1.