Port Strike Begins Along East Coast. HOLR Breaks down the key information.
October 2, 2024- CBS News reported that thousands of dock workers began their strike today amid failing labor talks between the ILA (International Longshoremen’s Association) and the USMX (United States Maritime Alliance).
This is the first strike among the Union since 1977.
Dock Workers Strike: Why Are They on Strike?
The contract between the ILA and USMX expired today at midnight and union leaders have put heavy pressure on renegotiating contracts that are better suited to their workers.
ILA president Boise Butler represents workers who want a “Fair contract that doesn’t allow automation of their jobs”.
There is a widespread fear of workers being subsidized with a focus on the automatic loading and unloading of equipment being implemented in the future. Union representatives want to ensure this doesn’t happen. TikTok user @cbsmornings breaks down the dock strike in this video below:
@cbsmornings At least 25,000 dock workers could walk off the job tonight, in a strike that could affect nearly half of America’s ports and cost the U.S. economy about $5 billion every day. #strike #dock #economy
Dock Strike 2024 Meaning
While the ILA is currently ordering a strike, it is up to both parties to negotiate a deal quickly before prices on goods rise. So coming to a deal sooner rather than later will benefit everybody involved.
However, if there is no progress made soon, federal law allows the president and congress to order workers back to the ports for a period of 80 days while negotiations continue. Though Politico claims that Biden is against this course of action.
TikToker @lisaremillard explains what this dock strike could mean for others.
@lisaremillard #portstrike #longshoreman #supplychain In just a few hours, if there is no deal, about 45,000 union members who work at ports across the east & gulf coasts are going to strike. This strike could cause a massive disruption to the supply chain and has the potential to cripple the US economy
For now, ports from Maine to Texas remain closed with over 25,000 workers on official strike.
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Published by HOLR Magazine
Image Credits: @CBSMornings, @lisaremillard TikTok