UNION, SHIPPERS AGREE TO CUT N.Y. PORT COSTS The New York Shipping Association and International Longshoremen's Association said they agreed to cut cargo assessments at the Port of New York and New Jersey by more than 50 pct on some labor intensive cargos. The charges on cargo handled by union workers will be reduced to 2.85 dlrs a ton from 5.85 dlrs a ton, effective April one, according to the agreement between the union and shippers. The assessments are used to fund workers' benefits. "What were doing is lowering the price to get more bulk cargo flowing through here," a spokesman for the New York Shipping Association said.