By Janet Ekstract NEW YORK -Not since 1977, has there been such a widespread dockworkers strike from coast to coast in the U.S. Early on October 1, members of the International Longshoremen’s Association walked out in a standoff over wages, benefits, automation and job security which includes those from Maine to Texas. Analysts say such a strike will cost the U.S. economy $5.8 billion a day and that container traffic entering the U.S. will stop. They also predict that such a strike could restart inflation and cause major shortages of goods if it were to go on for more than several weeks. The contract between the ports and about 45,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association expired at midnight. Despite reports of progress in talks on Monday, the workers went on strike early on Tuesday with the strike set to affect 36 ports. Workers began picketing at the Port of Philadelphia, a bit after midnight, with their motto “No work without a fair contract.” The union also put message boards up on both sides of a truck that read “Automation Hurts Families: ILA Stands For Job Protection.”
Meanwhile, Local ILA president Boise Butler told the media that dockworkers want a fair contract that won’t allow automation to take their jobs. He said that shipping companies made billions during the pandemic by charging high prices, “Now we want them to pay back,” he said. Butler said the union will strike for as long as is necessary to get the fairest deal and added that the union has leverage over the companies. Butler explained, “This is not something that you start and you stop,” adding “We’re not weak.” CNN International interviewed UC Berkley Professor Harley Shaiken about the effect the strike could have on the U.S. economy. Shaiken said, “If the strike goes forward which it is going, as we speak, it will have a very damaging effect on the U.S. economy to be sure.” U.S. Maritime Alliance who represents the ports, commented on Monday evening that no deal had been reached. In an opening offer, the union requested a 77% pay raise over the six-year duration of the contract. The U.S. Maritime Alliance President Harold Daggett said the raise is essential to make up for inflation and years of small raises. Currently, ILA members make a base salary of close to $81,000 per year with some making over $200,000 a year with large amounts of overtime. Monday evening the alliance said it increased its offer to 50% raises over six years while promising to keep limits on automation in place from the old contract but the union wants a total ban on automation. In a statement the alliance said “We are hopeful that this could allow us to fully resume collective bargaining around the other outstanding issues in an effort to reach an agreement.” Meanwhile, the union said on Tuesday that it rejected the alliance’s latest proposal since it “fell far short of what ILA rank-and-file members are demanding in wages and protections against automation.”
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