The International Longshore and Warehouse Union will consider a vote on launching early talks with West Coast employers to extend the current coast-wide contract that is currently set to expire July 1, 2019.The union’s counterpart, the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents shipping lines and terminal operators, announced on Thursday that limited but focused discussions will most likely begin in September if ILWU delegates approve early discussions in a meeting mid-August. This would follow the June 30 announcement of the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance about their plans to continue discussions about an extension of their contract, which is scheduled to expire on Sept. 30, 2018.