Unionized longshoremen shut down operations at 36 ports on the East Coast and Gulf Coast and cut picket lines early Tuesday after negotiations between the International Longshoremen's Association and the United Maritime Alliance failed. I put it on.
A dockworker spoke fox business They are prepared to continue the work stoppage until the union is able to negotiate a more favorable contract. The six-year agreement between the parties expired on Monday night.
The strike is the first launched by the ILA, which represents 85,000 longshore workers, since 1977.
The ILA is demanding higher wages and job security for its members by banning automation of cranes, gates and container-moving trucks used to load and unload cargo.
USMX claimed on Monday that it had offered ILA a nearly 50% increase in wages over the term of the contract. The proposal would also reportedly triple employer retirement plan contributions, provide better health care plans and maintain existing language on automation.
on monday statementUSMX said: “In the past 24 hours, USMX and ILA have exchanged counter-offers related to wages. USMX has increased our offer and also requested an extension of the current Master Agreement as both parties have withdrawn from previous agreements. I did,” he said. We hope this will allow us to fully resume collective bargaining on other outstanding issues to reach an agreement. ”
Fox Business reported that the ILA rejected the offer and announced it would move forward with strike plans.
Last week, it was reported that USMX had filed an unfair labor complaint against ILA, accusing the union of violating labor laws by refusing to participate in negotiations. The ILA called the move a “propaganda stunt.”
on monday statementILA accused USMX of “blocking” it.[ing] “By rejecting the ILA's demands for a fair and decent contract, we set a path toward a new master contract settlement,” adding, “Within almost 12 hours, strikes at every port from Maine to Texas… It seems like he intends to cause something to happen.”
ILA President Harold Daggett told FOX Business that initial negotiations between the two parties “didn't go well,” but the union was “always willing to sit down when we get the right numbers.” Ta.
“At this point, everything is unplanned,” he told the press. “Nobody's talking right now. We're trying to get Congress to bring them to the table. And that's where we are right now.”
The union's decision to go ahead with a strike has raised concerns about the potential economic impact. The 45,000 dockworkers on strike control about half of all goods shipped domestically and internationally. Jason Fisk, CEO of Los Angeles-based Sarson Logistics, estimated that work stoppages could cost the company $3.7 billion per day.
“I started working 27 years ago and in 27 years my wages have only increased by $25,” New Jersey longshoreman Joe Mosquera told Fox Business from the picket line on Tuesday.
“So for me, I believe that up until now we have received less than we should have received, so now is the time,” Mosquera said. “All we want is to be paid fairly for the items we cherish every day. And we didn't stop during COVID-19, and we don't want to stop now. there is no.”
“We'll be happy to come back as soon as they decide they're going to give us a fair contract,” he continued. “What's fair is that our union president is willing to negotiate, but he's not going to agree to that, to say the least.”
From the picket line in New Orleans, the local chapter of the ILA said: WVUE-DT“Due to corporate greed, employers denied fair compensation to ILA members.”
“ILA is fighting for respect, recognition and fairness in a world where companies are serious about replacing hard workers with automation. Employers are pushing automation under the guise of safety. However, in reality, the aim is to reduce labor costs in order to increase the already exceptionally high workforce “earning high profits,'' the branch said.
Boise Butler, president of ILA Local 1291 in Philadelphia, made similar remarks. KYW-TV“Automation will put us all out of work.”
“This industry controls so much of the economy. It's unbelievable. Our stature may be small… but what we control as far as the economy is concerned is untouchable.” Mr. Butler continued. “We're not going anywhere until we get what we deserve.”
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