"I know we will achieve success because of the unity and solidarity of the ILA. I pledged to my rank-and-file members that I would not agree to anything that would take away hard won gains of the past," said Mr Daggett.
Negotiations, that were suspended on September 30, resumed Monday December 10 for three days to renegotiate a US$1.8 billion contract.
Pleas for a settlement have been issued by stakeholders. A demand for building materials to repair the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy has prompted trade organisations to write to the union and management pleading with them to "stay at the negotiating table until a deal is reached even if this extends beyond the current deadline of December 29".
Petitioners include the National Retail Federation and the Agriculture Transportation Coalition to the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.
Speaking for waterfront employers, United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) chief executive James Capo, said the union leadership was "uncompromising" and "views bargaining as a one-way street that leads only in their direction".
Said Mr Capo: "Throughout the course of the negotiations, USMX has given due consideration to ILA demands and shown its willingness to compromise. It is disappointing that ILA negotiators have refused to give the same consideration to issues that concern USMX."
USMX wants new technology that will increase the capacity of the ports and attract investment, with Mr Capo saying the "current economic reality demands that we improve efficiency and productivity".
Container "royalties" are another sticking point with ILA wanting no cap on the payments despite the USMX statement that there was a need to "begin to control," not eliminate what the employers call "bonuses".