Baltimore's port partially reopens

[NEW YORK] Baltimore's port, a gateway for autos from Bayerische Motoren Werke AG and Mazda Motor Corp, partially reopened with car shipments still idled even as striking longshoremen resumed work on container vessels.

"The ILA (International Longshoremen's Association) is going back to work under master contract conditions," said John Leichling, president of Local 1429, one of Baltimore's four chapters, in an interview.

Baltimore's Local 333 chapter announced a work stoppage on Oct 15 after failed negotiations with the Steamship Trade Association of Baltimore Inc over its local contract, which covers the handling of items such as automobiles, said Jim McNamara, a spokesman for the ILA.