Dockworkers' union walks away from negotiations with East and Gulf Coast employers

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‘The CyberGuy’ Kurt Knutsson discusses striking dockworkers demands on 'The Bottom Line.'

The union representing dockworkers at East and Gulf Coast ports walked away from the negotiating table with port employers this week over concerns about automation as the two sides face a mid-January deadline to finalize a deal and prevent the resumption of a strike, FOX Business has learned.

The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents port employers, were on their second day of talks this week when the ILA union left negotiations, a source tells FOX Business.

The source said that the ILA union is refusing to agree to the addition of any new technology at East and Gulf Coast ports, even though USMX has said that no jobs would be eliminated as a result of automation. Port employers don't expect the union to return to the negotiating table.

The ILA confirmed in a statement that it broke off negotiations with USMX and placed the blame on port employers for «pushing automation and semi-automation language in its Master Contract proposals that will eliminate ILA jobs.» It added that it «remains hopeful that USMX will alter its unwinnable strategy, and resume negotiations as soon as possible.»

DOCKWORKERS UNION'S CALLS FOR AUTOMATION RESTRICTIONS AT US PORTS COULD UNDERCUT COMPETITIVENESS

The ILA union could resume its strike on Jan. 15 if it doesn't reach an agreement with port employers. (Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

«The ILA's resolve remains strong not to surrender any ILA jobs,» the union said. «We are disappointed that USMX would attempt to disregard our ILA's well-known position opposing job-cutting automation and semi-automation. Once again, our