Dock talks resume Friday

Advertiser Staff

Talks between Hawai'i dockworkers and their employers are scheduled to resume Friday.

The two sides met yesterday for several hours, and will take a break for the New Year's holiday, The Hawaii Employers Council said.

No one from the union was available for comment.

Negotiations for a new contract started Thursday between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142 and the employers council.

Union negotiators are seeking improved wages and benefits for about 500 dockworkers statewide after West Coast dockworkers reached a tentative agreement last month, which raised the average dockworkers' annual salary from about $80,000 to around $100,000 while improving retirement benefits.