Agreement, which could take weeks to ratify, contemplates six-week contract with compromise on automationUS longshoremen reached a contract agreement with ports and shippers on Wednesday, averting a potential strike that could have damaged the American economy.The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) union and the US Maritime Alliance of ports and shipping companies said they had reached a tentative agreement for a six-year contract, a week ahead of a 15 January deadline. Continue reading...