George H Cohen News

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point (USMMA) will celebrate 75 years since initial dedication in 1943, at homecoming this weekend. Events scheduled include a 75th anniversary dinner, the season’s first home football game for the 2-0 Mariners, a parade by the Regiment of Midshipmen, and the ceremony of Beating Retreat.“We are pleased to welcome alumni classes, families and friends for a jam-packed homecoming weekend at USMMA, especially the 75th anniversary events,” said George Rhynedance…

Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service Director George H. Cohen on negotiations between United States Maritime Alliance & the International Longshoreman's Association. "I am extremely pleased to announce that today the parties have approved their tentative agreement for a successor Master Agreement. In doing so, the parties have successfully concluded lengthy, complex and understandably sometimes contentious negotiations concerning a multitude of economic and job related issues. "This monumental result, which will be submitted to their respective memberships for ratification, paves the way for six years of stable labor-management relations covering all the Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports.

Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service Director George H. Cohen has issued the following statement: "I am extremely pleased to announce that the parties have reached a tentative agreement for a comprehensive successor Master Agreement.  The tentative agreement is subject to the ratification procedures of both parties and, as well, to agreements being achieved in a number of local union negotiations.  Those local negotiations are ongoing and will continue without interruption to any port operation.  Out of respect for the parties' ratification processes, and consistent with the Agency's long-standing confidentiality policy, we will not disclose any details concerning the substantive provisions that have been reached."

Update on United States Maritime Alliance and International Longshoremen's Association labor contract negotiations. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director George H. "The United States Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen's Association conducted negotiations during the three day period January 15-17, 2013. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 10 district offices and 67 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.

Statement by FMCS Director George H. "The container royalty payment issue has been agreed upon in principle by the parties, subject to achieving an overall collective bargaining agreement. The parties have further agreed to an additional extension of 30 days (i.e., until midnight, January 28, 2013) during which time the parties shall negotiate all remaining outstanding Master Agreement issues, including those relating to New York and New Jersey. "Given that negotiations will be continuing and consistent with the Agency's commitment of confidentiality to the parties, FMCS shall not disclose the substance of the container royalty payment agreement.

Statement by FMCS Director George H. Cohen on East Coast Ports Labor Negotiations. The following is being released by Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service: "FMCS Director George Cohen has called a meeting of the ILA and the Maritime Alliance in advance of the December 29th expiration of the contract extension. The parties have agreed to attend. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 10 district offices and 67 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (US) calls meeting & parties in conflict over East Coast ports new contract agree to attend. Statement by FMCS Director George H. “FMCS Director George Cohen has called a meeting of the ILA and the Maritime Alliance in advance of the December 29th expiration of the contract extension. The parties have agreed to attend. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with two regional offices and more than 70 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.

The ILWU Local 63 Marine Clerks Office Unit (“OCU”) remains on strike at terminals in the Ports of Los Angeles & Long Beach. ILWU long shore locals continue to honor the OCU pickets and operations are completely shut down in APM Terminals. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director George H. "Based on a joint request from the parties, negotiations between the International Longshoremen and Warehouse Union Office Clerical Workers and the Harbor Employers Association will be conducted under FMCS auspices. I and Deputy Director Scot L. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation.

Statement by FMCS Director on United States Maritime Alliance & International Longshoremen's Association Labor Negotiations. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) director George H. "I am pleased to announce that five days of productive negotiations between the parties concluded on Saturday and that negotiations will resume next week under the auspices of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Further, I wish to commend the parties for their hard work and commitment to this process. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation.

Statement issued by Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) extends bargaining agreement period to 29, Dec. 2012. In full the statement by FMCS Director George H. "I am pleased to announce that at the close of today's [20, Sept. 2012] productive negotiation session, in which progress was made on several important subjects, the parties have agreed to extend the collective bargaining agreement due to expire on September 30, 2012 for a ninety (90) day period, i.e. through December 29, 2012. In taking this significant step, the parties emphasized that they are doing so "for the good of the country" to avoid any interruption in interstate commerce.

Statement by FMCS Director George H. I am pleased to announce that at the close of today's productive negotiation session, in which progress was made on several important subjects, the parties have agreed to extend the collective bargaining agreement due to expire on September 30, 2012 for a ninety (90) day period, i.e. through December 29, 2012. In taking this significant step, the parties emphasized that they are doing so "for the good of the country" to avoid any interruption in interstate commerce. This extension will provide the parties an opportunity to focus on the outstanding core issues in a deliberate manner apart from the pressure of an immediate deadline. The negotiations on the Master Agreement will be conducted during the same time frame as negotiations for local agreements.

Statement by FMCS Director George H. Cohen on United States Maritime Alliance & International Longshoremen's Association labor negotiations. " Upon the request of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), the parties have agreed to resume negotiations under our auspices during the week of September 17, 2012. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 10 district offices and 67 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.