Dockworkers across the East and West coasts are poised to strike next Tuesday, affecting approximately 25,000 employees who facilitate the movement of freight into and out of the country. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) announced that its members plan to walk off the job when their contract with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) expires at midnight on Monday.
The potential strike could have significant implications for the upcoming holiday retail season, raising concerns about supply chain disruptions. Key issues at the bargaining table include wages, benefits, and regulations regarding port automation.
Negotiations between the ILA and USMX have been stagnant since June, with no new meetings scheduled. As tensions rise, stakeholders in the retail and shipping industries are closely monitoring the situation, fearing a major impact on operations if a resolution is not reached.
The East and Gulf Coast ports that would be affected by the ILA strike handle more than 40% of all goods shipped in containers to and from the U.S. Thousands of containers carrying commodities such as fresh produce, coffee, plywood, plastic resins, auto parts and manufactured components could be affected.
