At least 45 container ships anchored outside U.S. ports Thursday as a major strike by longshoremen stretching from Maine to Texas entered its third day.
By late Wednesday, container ships were forming long lines along East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, unable to unload cargo as longshoremen picketed and struck, according to Everstream Analytics. Last Sunday, there were only three boats.
Everstream's Gian Santoro said backups could double by the end of the week if the strike continues.
The resulting blockage could take weeks or even months to clear, she said.
“Many decided to wait it out rather than make a proactive decision to change their plans, perhaps hoping for a quick resolution to the strike action,” Santoro said in a video presentation viewed by Reuters. It seems so.''
Some 45,000 dockworkers are striking for higher wages and protection from automation in their next contract.
Analysts have warned that the strike could cost the economy billions of dollars a day, disrupting shipments of food, cars, medicine and other goods.
President Joe Biden, who has voiced support for longshoremen, suggested a deal was moving forward, although he did not provide details.
“I think we're making progress,” Biden said Thursday. “You'll find out soon.”
There were no negotiations scheduled for Thursday between the International Longshoremen's Association and employers, but port owners issued a statement late Wednesday indicating they were open to new negotiations.
The U.S. Maritime Alliance said late Wednesday that “negotiations are necessary to reach an agreement.” “While we disagree with the preconditions for returning to negotiations, we remain committed to negotiating in good faith to meet the demands of the ILA and the concerns of the USMX.”
The ILA began its strike on Tuesday, the first major strike since 1977.
Union boss Harold Daggett, who led the strike and collected $728,000 in compensation from the ILA last year, said the union promised $5 an hour raises in each year of the six-year contract and no automation. He said he was looking for.
Retailers, auto suppliers and agricultural importers had expected Biden to implement the federal Taft-Hartley Act, which allows U.S. presidents to force employees to return to work after an 80-day cooling-off period during labor disputes. .
But those hopes were dashed Monday when Biden said he “doesn't believe” in Taft-Hartley.
The National Retail Federation (along with about 300 other trade groups) on Wednesday called on the Biden administration to take a stronger stance against strikes and force workers back to work.
Mr Daggett indicated that the ILA would be involved for the long term.
“We are prepared to fight as long as necessary, stay on strike for any length of time, and get the wages and automation protections that ILA members deserve,” Daggett said Tuesday.
The strike comes in the aftermath of Hurricane Helen, which devastated southeastern states, and ahead of the holiday season, and could further disrupt the country's reeling supply chain.
According to Morgan Stanley, about half of all imports from the United States arrive via water.
Although the strike does not have an immediate impact on prices, port congestion could eventually lead to food shortages and price hikes similar to the economic disruption seen during the pandemic.
“From a consumer perspective, if the strike continues for a few weeks, you'll start to see the impact on grocery stores,” said Larry Gross, supply chain analyst and president of Gross Transportation Consulting in a post. told the paper.
Some shoppers reported long lines at gas stations and empty shelves at supermarkets as worried consumers stocked up on supplies fearing shortages.
with post wire
