Tens of thousands of longshoremen at ports along the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico went on strike just after midnight, the first strike by a longshoremen union in nearly 50 years.
Workers from Maine to Texas walked off the job after the United States Maritime Union (USMX) and the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) failed to reach an agreement by a midnight deadline, the Associated Press and other news outlets reported.
USMX said on Monday evening It announced it had “exchanged a wage-related counteroffer” with ILA, the first sign of movement in months.
The union is demanding higher wages and a total ban on automation of cranes, gates and container-moving trucks. Negotiations between ILA and USMX broke down in June. automated gate At the Port of Mobile, Alabama.
USMX also said it had asked the union to extend the agreement, which expired on October 1st.
“Both parties have departed from their previous positions,” USMX said in a statement. “We hope this will allow us to fully resume collective bargaining.”
Many retailers have brought forward shipments or rerouted shipments to the West Coast in anticipation of the strike, but businesses are bracing for a strike with no apparent end in sight.
There are extensive estimates of the economic impact of the strike, with the business research nonprofit Conference Board estimating the cost to be around $540 million per day, while J.P. Morgan analysts estimates that it could reach up to $5 billion per day.
Teamsters general president Sean O'Brien issued a statement of solidarity with the ILA on Monday night, saying, “The U.S. government should distance itself from this fight and allow union members to withhold work in order to receive wages and benefits.'' ”. I earned it. ”
“Workers everywhere, on the streets, in the ports, in the skies, should be able to fight for a better life without government interference. “They were able to rely on their political puppets' inherent leverage,” O'Brien said.
Mr. Biden sent senior officials to urge USMX and ILA officials to “fairly and quickly reach a just agreement,” but the president declined to invoke legal action that would buy the parties time to negotiate.
The Taft-Hartley Act, which allows presidents to ask courts for an 80-day “cooling-off” period for strikes that “endanger the health or safety of the public,” was last used by President George W. Bush. It was in 2002.
Biden, who has used other legal tools to avert a 2022 rail strike, said Sunday that he has no intention of using Taft-Hartley to stop a longshore worker strike, citing “collective bargaining.” He said no.
The impending strike has infuriated some business leaders and Republicans.
“The Biden-Harris administration has failed to act to protect the economy and American consumers,” said Congressman David Rouser (RN.C.). post Monday morning on social platform X.
“A week-long strike will cause backlogs at our ports through November,” said Rauser, who represents Wilmington, where one of the ports affected by the strike is located.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Suzanne Clark on Monday urged Biden to invoke Taft-Hartley, warning that it would be “unconscionable to allow a contract dispute to have such a devastating impact on our economy.” did.
“These ports handle a total of 68 or more [percent] 56 out of all container exports [percent] “The country's imports exceed $2.1 billion and daily trade exceeds $2.1 billion,” Clark wrote. “Simply put, we have the authority to continue contract negotiations with the ports open.”
Lawmakers expressing support for coastal residents also called for an immediate agreement to minimize the economic impact.
“Both parties need to come together in good faith to find solutions that respect workers' rights while minimizing economic disruption,” said Rep. Troy Carter (D-Louisiana). Ta.
“All workers are entitled to a fair wage for their work. Period. I am committed to the right of the International Longshoremen Association to bargain for fair wages, benefits, and safe working conditions. We fully support them, and we also recognize that a strike of this scale could have a significant impact on the U.S. economy,” said Carter, who represents New Orleans, another strike site. said.
“I'm proud to support it,” said Rep. Jerry Nadler (D.N.Y.), who represents part of Manhattan. [the longshoremen] They are fighting for fair wages, protection, and the respect they deserve. ”
“Longshore workers are the backbone of the U.S. economy, keeping our ports and supply chains running smoothly. During the pandemic, our longshore workers have worked with us to keep shelves stocked and stocked across the country. He gave it to me,” Nadler said.
“We look forward to the parties quickly reaching an agreement to prevent a strike that would have far-reaching implications for port operators, the economy, and longshore workers,” Nadler added.
While the longshore workers' strike will put pressure on the economy, including potentially raising consumer goods prices and inflation that has been subdued in recent years, the Conference Board also said that invoking the Taft-Hartley Act would be an “electoral issue.” “It's a very close political minefield.”
Most major unions and labor groups endorsed Biden before he withdrew from the race in July, and quickly pivoted to supporting Vice President Harris in the presidential race.
Alex Hertel Fernández, an associate professor of international and public affairs at Columbia University and a former Labor Department official, outlined the “political calculation” of intervening in the strike five weeks before Election Day.
“Given the president and vice president's commitment to supporting the labor movement, Taft-Hartley's invocation is viewed by the labor movement as a significant threat to their autonomy and ability to negotiate across the table.” “I think they understand that they will be seen as a threat to their employer,” Hertel Fernández said.
ILA President Harold Daggett said: press release This summer, he announced that he had a “longstanding relationship” with former President Trump, and that the two had “productive talks” in November 2023.
Mr. Daggett said President Trump “has promised to support the ILA in its opposition to automated terminals in the United States,” which is one of the union's biggest concerns.
No one knows how long the strike will last. But coach Hertel Fernandes offered a message of “cautious optimism” ahead of Monday's strike announcement.
“The parties always seem very distant until they actually aren't,” he said.
