With roughly two months before union workers at East and Gulf Coast ports may begin a new strike, a fight over automated technology is slowing negotiations.

The union rejected the USMX's latest proposal, calling the move a “renewed attempt by USMX to eliminate ILA jobs.”

The union representing 45,000 East Coast and Gulf Coast dockworkers and a group representing employers held a new round of contract talks this week but failed to make significant progress on some key issues,

The union that represents port workers is in talks with employers over the use of automation, which could lead to a strike in January.