A federal court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the International Longshoremen’s Union (ILA) that alleged the Virginia Port Authority (VPA) interfered with the new master contract between the union and one of its terminal operators. The order, issued Thursday by Judge Jamar K. Walker of the Eastern District of Virginia, dismissed the case without prejudice, indicating the decision was based on technical filing aspects and that the union has the option to refile its suit. FreightWaves has reached out to the ILA for comment. The VPA, in a release announcing the dismissal, stated it would offer no further comment. Virginia International Terminals (VIT), an operating entity of the VPA created to negotiate contracts as Virginia law prohibits state agencies from bargaining with unions, is a member of the United States Maritime Alliance. This alliance negotiates the coastwise master contract with the union on behalf of port employers and ocean carriers. In his decision, Judge Walker acknowledged the lawsuit's claims: that VIT installed automated rail-mounted gantry cranes at the port's Norfolk International Terminal without consulting the ILA, which allegedly violated the terms of the new master contract. The VPA argued, among other points, that it had no obligation to recognize the union contract because VIT is the employer of record. Then-VPA Chief Executive Stephen Edwards was also named in the suit filed in August. He departed the agency in January to assume the role of CEO.