ILA Prepares for Potential Strike on US East and Gulf Coasts

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) is gearing up for a potential strike on the East and Gulf Coasts, which could have significant repercussions for US ports.

This issue has arisen as the ILA’s contract with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) is set to expire on September 30, 2024, and the union has announced that they will not be extending the agreement.

The ILA aims to negotiate a new master contract with the USMX. The current agreement, which was ratified in September 2018, impacts around 14,500 workers across the East and Gulf Coasts.

This marks the first time the ILA has contemplated a strike since 1977. With approximately 45,000 workers from Maine to Texas under its umbrella, a strike could profoundly affect labor relations for dockworkers.

The ILA is planning to initiate the strike on October 1, 2024. Union leadership is also addressing other issues, such as wage increases and the increasing automation of ports. Negotiations were halted in July this year after APM Terminals and Maersk Line implemented an Autogate system that automates truck processing, reducing the need for labor.

The ILA is demanding wage increases that surpass those granted to West Coast dockworkers, citing inflation and the need to recognize workers’ contributions during the pandemic.

Harold Daggett, the president of the ILA, has affirmed that local bodies are united with the leadership in the event of a strike.

A potential strike could have severe consequences, affecting six of the ten busiest ports in the US. It would significantly disrupt supply chains, particularly during the harvest season. The strike would impact not only dockworkers but also shippers and consumers across the country.

Furthermore, the strike is set to occur at a politically sensitive time, just weeks before the US presidential elections, raising the stakes for all involved parties.