From: David Hickmott [DHickmott@uli-atl.com]

Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 12:46 PM

To: David Hickmott (E-mail)

Cc: David Hickmott; David Hickmott

Subject: FW: News - The port of Los Angeles and Long Beach - July 23, 2007

Dear Valued Unique Customer,

The below article is the latest update on the OCU union negotiations.  We will continue to keep our customers updated as information becomes available.

Thank you for your support of Unique Logistics International (ATL).

David Hickmott

Executive Vice President

Office:  404-767-0500 ext 306

Cell#678-478-6604

E-Mail:  dhickmott@uli-atl.com

Website:  www.uli-atl.com

Latest from Saturday Night's Long Beach Press Telegram:

Deal for port clerks 'very close'

Labor: Union hopeful but warns a strike is still possible Monday.

By Robert Jablon, Associated Press

Article Launched: 07/21/2007 06:39:10 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES - Clerical workers presented their final offer to shipping companies Saturday after all-night contract talks aimed at preventing a strike at the nation's largest port complex.

"We've done all we can," said John Fageaux Jr., president of the Office Clerical Unit, Local 63, of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

If the offer is rejected, clerks could strike as early as Monday. But Fageaux said he was hopeful a new contract agreement would be reached.

"I think we're very close," he said.

A call to Steve Berry, the lead negotiator for the shipping companies, was not immediately returned.

The twin ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles handle more than 40 percent of all cargo container traffic coming into the U.S.

The 15,000-member ILWU has indicated that longshoremen would honor picket lines if the clerical workers strike. The clerks work at marine terminals and handle bookings for the export of cargo and other transport documents.

A major issue in the talks was the shippers' request for an association that could represent all the companies in collective bargaining, Fageaux said. The union agreed to discuss the idea in the next few years, he said.

The talks began in May and continued after the current contract expired June 30. Despite a strike deadline imposed last Monday by the union, the negotiating teams continued to meet - stoking concerns about a possible shutdown at the ports.

All told, Local 63 represents more than 900 full-time and temporary workers for 17 shipping companies and other cargo firms at the ports. The negotiations, however, only cover contracts for between 600 and 850 full- and part-time workers at 14 companies.

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