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East and Gulf coast ports shut down as thousands of workers go on strike

  

Category:  News & Politics

Via:  perrie-halpern  •  one week ago  •  50 comments

By:   Mike Calia, Steve Kopack and Jason Abbruzzese

East and Gulf coast ports shut down as thousands of workers go on strike
Tens of thousands of longshoremen are likely to go on strike at midnight, shutting down dozens of major ports and choking off deliveries of a range of goods.

S E E D E D   C O N T E N T


Tens of thousands of longshoremen went on strike at midnight ET, shutting down major ports along the East and Gulf coasts and choking off deliveries of everything from produce to auto parts.

Consumers aren't likely to feel the pinch unless a walkout lasts for multiple weeks, because businesses and logistics firms took pre-emptive steps to blunt the impact with the holiday shopping season about to kick off. But a work stoppage could still cost the U.S. economy anywhere from several hundred million dollars to $4.5 billion a day, analysts and business groups say. Costs from redirecting goods along longer routes would be passed on to consumers.

The ports handle about half the ocean imports in the U.S. Varying estimates say the strike encompasses 25,000 to 50,000 members of the International Longshoremen's Association. All told, the ILA has 85,000 members. Union leaders argue that big global cargo carriers have raked in huge profits since pandemic-era supply-chain snags drove up freight rates, saying workers haven't sufficiently shared in those gains.

In a video posted to an ILA Instagram account, Harold J. Daggett addressed union workers at Maher Terminals in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

"This is going down in history what we're doing here," he said.

"They can't survive too long," he added.

The strike caps months of heated rhetoric between the union and the United States Maritime Alliance, or USMX, which represents major ocean freight and port operators. The union is seeking raises, as well as limits on automation at ports that it says could cost jobs. The two sides hadn't negotiated in the days leading up to the potential stoppage.

"The Ocean Carriers represented by USMX want to enjoy rich billion-dollar profits that they are making in 2024, while they offer ILA Longshore Workers an unacceptable wage package that we reject," the union said in a statement Monday.

The USMX, meanwhile, said that it had been exchanging offers with the union and had hoped to avoid a work stoppage.

"Our offer would increase wages by nearly 50 percent, triple employer contributions to employee retirement plans, strengthen our health care options, and retain the current language around automation and semi-automation," it said in a news release.

Several industries are prepared for the strike, having ordered goods in advance when it became apparent that a stoppage could start Tuesday, but analysts expect more serious impacts if the walkout lasts several weeks or longer. Trucking and other logistics companies raced in recent days to get as many goods as possible out of ports before a potential strike.

The vast port operations of New York and New Jersey stand to be most affected, with about 4,500 workers. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a news release that she urged the two sides to come to an agreement but that preparations had been made to keep shelves stocked.

"In preparation for this moment, New York has been working around the clock to ensure that our grocery stores and medical facilities have the essential products they need," she said. "It's critical for USMX and the ILA to reach a fair agreement soon that respects workers and ensures a flow of commerce through our ports. In the meantime, we will continue our efforts to minimize disruption for New Yorkers."

Business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have urged President Joe Biden to intervene using the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act. Under that authority, Biden could seek a so-called 80-day cooling-off period that would force dockworkers to stay on the job.

But while the White House has been in touch with the ILA and the USMX in recent days, Biden has said he isn't looking to invoke the law. An intervention could also unsettle relations with organized labor 35 days before Election Day, as Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris looks to maximize her union support against Republican former President Donald Trump.

"Because it's collective bargaining, I don't believe in Taft-Hartley," Biden told reporters Sunday.


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Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
1  Vic Eldred    one week ago

If it happens it will have an impact on the economy.

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
1.1  devangelical  replied to  Vic Eldred @1    one week ago

fascism hates trade unions too ...

 
 
 
Sparty On
Professor Principal
2  Sparty On    one week ago

Union extortion.    Nothing more.

 
 
 
Greg Jones
Professor Participates
2.1  Greg Jones  replied to  Sparty On @2    one week ago

It amounts to outright greed. In this day and age, most products are shipped in containers. There is not much labor involved other than hooking up cables and operating giant cranes and those funny looking machines that move the containers on the ground and stack them in the yard or load them onto trucks and railcars. What with overtime, pension contributions, health insurance, profit sharing, and other benefits, they are well compensated.

Longshoreman Hourly Pay in 2024 | PayScale

Many Dockworkers Make $150,000 or More. Why They’re Going on Strike. (msn.com)

 
 
 
Kavika
Professor Principal
2.1.1  Kavika   replied to  Greg Jones @2.1    one week ago
It amounts to outright greed. In this day and age, most products are shipped in containers. There is not much labor involved other than hooking up cables and operating giant cranes and those funny looking machines that move the containers on the ground and stack them in the yard or load them onto trucks and railcars. What with overtime, pension contributions, health insurance, profit sharing, and other benefits, they are well compensated.

So you have worked as a longie, Greg? Give a rundown on how you worked on the lashing crews or driving a bomb cart. How about using a kovacko crane sucking out tons of powered cement, slip and into the open hatch you go to drown. You also have to work in all kinds of weather day and night 7 days a week including holidays.

 
 
 
Just Jim NC TttH
Professor Principal
2.1.2  Just Jim NC TttH  replied to  Kavika @2.1.1    one week ago

And they didn't choose it, right? Damned longshoreman draft lottery......................./S

 
 
 
evilone
Professor Guide
2.1.3  evilone  replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @2.1.2    one week ago
And they didn't choose it, right?

I don't get it. What's your point here? 

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
2.1.4  Trout Giggles  replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @2.1.2    one week ago

Well, the men in my family didn't have much choice but to work in the coal mines. That's all the work that was available in Vintondale, PA at the time (now there's nothing). If they had lived in Johnstown, they would have worked in the steel mills.

People take the jobs that pay the most.

 
 
 
Just Jim NC TttH
Professor Principal
2.1.5  Just Jim NC TttH  replied to  evilone @2.1.3    one week ago

They don't have to work the docks. They chose to.

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Expert
2.1.6  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  Kavika @2.1.1    one week ago

Ports that can operate 24-7 want to increase port automation.  Crane operation of the cargo containers and trucking them from the dock to railroad or tucking hubs can be automated.  That's the big issue, not pay, tre union wants labor guarantees.  They know it's unlikely that Biden orders them back to work so they are rolling the dice for long-term work guarantees.

 
 
 
evilone
Professor Guide
2.1.7  evilone  replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @2.1.5    one week ago
They don't have to work the docks. They chose to.

True, but job choice has several factors to it that may not be so simple for someone on the outside to determine. What job options would you suggest for those now on strike? 

 
 
 
Just Jim NC TttH
Professor Principal
2.1.8  Just Jim NC TttH  replied to  evilone @2.1.7    one week ago

FSS where are they located? That's right. Pretty much thriving port cities. I would imagine that with the wages they make, the job market/pay scale in those places has to compete with the high pay the dock workers get to have any chance of enticing people.

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
2.1.9  Trout Giggles  replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @2.1.8    one week ago

But what kind of jobs can they get?

 
 
 
Just Jim NC TttH
Professor Principal
2.1.10  Just Jim NC TttH  replied to  Trout Giggles @2.1.9    one week ago

Would think manufacturing, warehousing, distribution.................

 
 
 
evilone
Professor Guide
2.1.11  evilone  replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @2.1.8    one week ago
I would imagine that with the wages they make, the job market/pay scale in those places has to compete with the high pay the dock workers get to have any chance of enticing people.

Sure, I hear Amazon is hiring minim wage warehouse jobs.../s Oh wait... no dockworkers no Amazon shipping.

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
2.1.12  Trout Giggles  replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @2.1.10    one week ago

If those places are hiring....

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Expert
2.1.13  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  Trout Giggles @2.1.12    one week ago

They are.  The company I work for are looking for people in those areas to work all over the country and overseas.

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
2.1.14  Tessylo  replied to  Kavika @2.1.1    one week ago

So many people love to spout their knowledge on things they have no clue about.

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
2.1.15  Tessylo  replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @2.1.10    one week ago

'Would think'.....but you don't 'KNOW' FSS.

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
2.1.16  Tessylo  replied to  Trout Giggles @2.1.12    one week ago

If you can get 40 hours where so many places will not give you 40 hours because that would include benefits so yeah..........

 
 
 
Just Jim NC TttH
Professor Principal
2.1.17  Just Jim NC TttH  replied to  Tessylo @2.1.16    one week ago

They are not obligated to give benefits. It is an employer-by-employer choice............except for healthcare now.

 
 
 
Just Jim NC TttH
Professor Principal
2.1.18  Just Jim NC TttH  replied to  Tessylo @2.1.15    one week ago

If there is a port, there are warehouses. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Masters Guide
2.1.19  Right Down the Center  replied to  Tessylo @2.1.14    one week ago
So many people love to spout their knowledge on things they have no clue about.

They are called pseudo intellectuals and I see them every day.  They are amusing trying to prove how intellectual they are but failing miserably.

 
 
 
Kavika
Professor Principal
2.1.20  Kavika   replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @2.1.2    one week ago
And they didn't choose it, right? D

???

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
2.1.21  Tessylo  replied to  Kavika @2.1.20    one week ago
'Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out'

???

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
2.1.22  Tessylo  replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @2.1.17    one week ago

Thank goodness for unions then, right?

 
 
 
Kavika
Professor Principal
2.1.23  Kavika   replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @2.1.8    one week ago
I would imagine that with the wages they make, the job market/pay scale in those places has to compete with the high pay the dock workers get to have any chance of enticing people.

No. the  hiring in ILA is limited as is ILWU on the WC. so there are  plenty of jobs that pay considerably less surrounding the ports.

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
2.1.24  Tessylo  replied to  Kavika @2.1.23    one week ago

Thanks for the truth/facts.  

 
 
 
Kavika
Professor Principal
2.1.25  Kavika   replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @2.1.18    one week ago

In the two biggest ports in th US, LA/LB the vast majority of warehousing is in Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga around 60 miles inland.

 
 
 
Just Jim NC TttH
Professor Principal
2.1.26  Just Jim NC TttH  replied to  Kavika @2.1.25    one week ago

So there isn't any on the east coast?

 
 
 
Kavika
Professor Principal
2.1.27  Kavika   replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @2.1.26    one week ago

Of course, there are, both private and public.

 
 
 
Just Jim NC TttH
Professor Principal
3  Just Jim NC TttH    one week ago

They turned down a fucking 50% raise?

jrSmiley_88_smiley_image.gif

 
 
 
Sparty On
Professor Principal
3.1  Sparty On  replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @3    one week ago

It’s an active story right now.    I’ve heard 50% over eight years.      That’s over 6% a year.

 
 
 
Just Jim NC TttH
Professor Principal
3.1.1  Just Jim NC TttH  replied to  Sparty On @3.1    one week ago

I know. I'll take 6%+ a year LOL

 
 
 
Sparty On
Professor Principal
3.1.2  Sparty On  replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @3.1.1    one week ago

Nope, not good enough although I do agree with their stand on automation.

 
 
 
evilone
Professor Guide
3.1.3  evilone  replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @3.1.1    one week ago
I'll take 6%+ a year LOL

It's more than I get every year.

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
3.1.4  Trout Giggles  replied to  evilone @3.1.3    one week ago

same here

 
 
 
Sparty On
Professor Principal
4  Sparty On    one week ago

Perfect timing.    

Helping folks suffering from Helene, etc, suffer just a little bit more.

Hooray Longshoreman!    Get yours!    Screw everyone else.

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Masters Guide
5  Right Down the Center    one week ago

 Biden has said he isn't looking to invoke the law. An intervention could also unsettle relations with organized labor 35 days before Election Day, as Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris looks to maximize her union support against Republican former President Donald Trump.

That is where Bidens and Harris's heads are at.  Fuck Americans, there is an election to win.

 
 
 
Mark in Wyoming
Professor Silent
7  Mark in Wyoming     one week ago

it will be interesting to see what the west coast ports decide to do , no mention of them as of yet . 

 they might get real busy .

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Expert
7.1  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  Mark in Wyoming @7    one week ago

I think the West Coast longshoremen signed a deal last year.

 
 
 
Kavika
Professor Principal
7.2  Kavika   replied to  Mark in Wyoming @7    one week ago

The ILA and the  ILWU on th W/C are two different unions with different contracts work rules and leadership.

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
8  Nerm_L    one week ago

Well, it looks like the country is going to get another lesson in supply-chain disruptions, 'free trade' economics, and labor union stupidity.  The lesson we should have learned from the pandemic was that over reliance on imports allows the country to be held hostage by middle men.  And a longshoreman strike only reinforces that lesson.

Yes, longshoreman are important for an import dependent economy.  But it is also an obvious fact that longshoremen are middle men; they don't actually produce anything.

There's no denying that work on the docks can be difficult and dangerous.  But we've always addressed those problems by using technology to make work less difficult and safer.  

Consumers pay for the costs and delays in the supply chain.  There isn't any other source of revenue to pay those costs.  Yes, consumers will provide the revenue to pay tariffs and taxes.  But consumers are also providing the revenue for increases in pay and benefits.  The union is taxing consumers the same way the government does with tariffs.

So, who is going to raise the specter of Taft-Hartley?  Joe Biden won't invoke Taft-Hartley.  Kamala Harris and Donald Trump can only bluster and bluff.  It looks like consumers are the designated losers.  But that's the way it's been since liberals (both paleo and neo) took over government.  The voting public has been trapped in a Twilight Zone for a long time.  Have voters finally figured out that political promises 'to serve man' is actually a cookbook?  

 
 
 
Sparty On
Professor Principal
8.1  Sparty On  replied to  Nerm_L @8    one week ago

Trying to figure out their angle on this.   Be interesting watching our friends on the left try to blame Trump for it.    

Appears to be piss poor coordination between the Democrat party and that union.    Usually much better than this but we’ll see when the other shoe drops.

 
 
 
bugsy
Professor Participates
8.1.1  bugsy  replied to  Sparty On @8.1    one week ago

Truth be told if this strike lasts past November 5 after Trump is reelected, they damn sure will blame him for it and put up articles of impeachment. 

 
 
 
Sparty On
Professor Principal
8.1.2  Sparty On  replied to  bugsy @8.1.1    one week ago

No doubt

 
 
 
Buzz of the Orient
Professor Expert
9  Buzz of the Orient    one week ago

Canada has a number of international east coast seaports, so ship there and then train and truck to the USA.  It might increase the cost somewhat but the supply chain will be maintained, and necessities would still be available to all.  

 
 
 
charger 383
Professor Silent
10  charger 383    one week ago

i support Longshoremen protecting their jobs against automation. 

 
 
 
evilone
Professor Guide
10.1  evilone  replied to  charger 383 @10    one week ago
i support Longshoremen protecting their jobs against automation. 

I support anyone protecting their jobs against automation, but I also feel like it's a losing argument. Automation is inevitable.

 
 
 
Sparty On
Professor Principal
10.1.1  Sparty On  replied to  evilone @10.1    one week ago

Yep, it’s 50’s union mentality.    You can’t fight inevitability but you can plan for it and still save jobs with savvy negotiations.

We went through this with threaded rod back in the day.    Plumbers/Pioefitters.    Some jurisdictions fought it, required plain rod which had to be threaded.    Lasted less than three years because they lost market share big time.

My main concern with automation is making sure we maintain control of it.    No foreign company control.

 
 

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