SC Ports and International Longshoreman’s Association reach agreement for reopening Leatherman Terminal

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – The South Carolina Ports Authority has reached an agreement with the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) to reopen the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal.

A unanimous agreement between SC Ports Board of Directors on Monday follows a years-long dispute over using union workers to staff the North Charleston container terminal.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court declined hearing arguments from the SC Ports, which essentially allowed ILA dockworkers to continue operating cranes at the terminal.

“After the unsuccessful litigation it’s now a new day and we must cooperatively adapt to the reality of the new labor staffing allocation, and that means working collaboratively with the ILA in a way to get HLT reopened as soon as possible,” said SC Ports CEO Barbara Melvin during a board meeting this week.

SC Ports and the ILA released a joint statement saying they mutually developed and agreed to the framework for an operating agreement “that will create long-term stability and competitiveness for the Port of Charleston while providing an enhanced product.”

The statement goes on to say, “More importantly, SC Ports and ILA worked together to protect jobs to create a seamless transition toward a future that recognizes a trained and experienced workforce across all SC Ports` terminals. SC Ports and ILA are ready to welcome our USMX partners at the Leatherman Terminal for many years to come without hesitation as all obstacles to operations have been removed.”

Melvin said two key considerations during negotiations were to ensure the same high level of productivity and service excellence for customers at Leatherman Terminal which has been consistent at the Port of Charleston. “We also wanted to make sure that our team members and employees are taken care of and have a choice about their employment in the future,” she said.

The framework for reopening will include the port still owning all equipment and managing operations. The port will also continue to provide training and certification in collaboration with the ILA.

Additionally, Melvin said existing port employees in certain roles that will now be manned by union labor will have the option to stay employed in that position with the port or join the ILA and a third-party contractor to staff the Leatherman Terminal for its reopening.