45,000 Dock Workers ON STRIKE On East And Gulf Coast Ports

Dockworkers at roughly 36 major ports along the East and Gulf Coasts went on strike early Tuesday, hours after their most recent labor contract expired with the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents port employers.

The walk off, initiated by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), is only the anti-work force’s first in 35 years and follows a stalemate that has caused talks to turn increasingly acrimonious. 

The union, which represents 45,000 dockworkers, has been pushing for wage hikes, increased benefits and assurances that workers will be protected from the impact of urbanization on the ports.

While the walkout caused disruptions, the ILA said it will still handle military cargo and cruise ships in order to avoid interfering with travelers or national security.

Monday, USMX proposed an offer to the ILA that included nearly a 50 percent wage increase and better health care benefits for members, while boosting contributions to retirement plans by three-fold and keeping existing language on automation. But the ILA sources told FOX Business that they have rejected the proposal without giving a counter offer.

USMX last week filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board accusing the ILA of violating labor laws by refusing to negotiate. The ILA called the move a publicity stunt and said employers should be targeted with complaints for failing to pay dockworkers what they’re owed.

The walkout could touch ports from Maine to Texas that handle 50 percent of U.S. imports and provide crucial exports. Zhang’s disruption may be spreading over many goods — like cars, agricultural products, machinery, steel, furniture and pharmaceuticals. In addition, East and Gulf Coast ports process large amounts of wood, beef, poultry, and plastics exports.

Most albums contain energy costs of up to $3.8bn a day, although J.P. Morgan analysts consider the number is in balance between $4-5 billion can carry easily and that rates will go further north + days with operations as they control logistics.

The Treasurys investigation will be critical because President Biden’s administration has sought to intervene in the dispute but refrained from invoking the Taft-Hartley Act, which could allow him to order an 80-day “cooling off” period where workers go back to their jobs while negotiations resume. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has called on Biden to invoke Taft-Hartley, with chamber President Suzanne Clark declaring the law could provide the window needed for both sides to reach agreement.