Strikes on the US East Coast and Gulf of Mexico ports will begin on Tuesday (10/01), the InternationalLongshoremen's Association said on Sunday, indicating the strike could lead to delays and supply chain chaos. “The American Maritime Union refuses to solve the problem of wage oppression for half a century.” The union represents it in a statement. The United States Maritime Union (USMX), which represents employers in the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico coastal industries, did not immediately comment that if union members went on strike at ports from Maine to Texas, it would be the first coast-wide strike since 1977, affecting ports that handle about half of the nation's maritime traffic。
A source said there were no talks on Sunday and no talks were currently planned before the midnight Monday deadline, with the union previously saying the strike would not affect military cargo transport or cruise traffic. White House spokesman Robin Patterson said Sunday that senior officials reached out to USMX representatives over the weekend to “urge them to reach a fair agreement that reflects the success of both companies fairly and quickly, and officials shared the same information with the ILO.” She added.
Earlier Sunday, US President JoeBiden said he did not intend to intervene to stop the strike if dock workers failed to secure new contracts by the October 1 deadline. “This is collective bargaining, and I don't believe in the Tuftlet-Hartley Treaty. Under the federal Taft-Hartley Act, the president can intervene in labor disputes that threaten the safety or security of the nation by imposing an 80-day cooling-off period. Reuters first cited White House officials on September 17 that Biden did not plan to introduce support for the Tuftett-Hartley Bill. With a few weeks to go before the U.S. presidential election, the strike could lead to disruptions in shipments from major ports ranging from food to automobiles, a dispute that could threaten jobs and increase inflation. The Business Roundtable, which represents key US business leaders, said it was “deeply concerned about possible strikes at East Coast and Gulf of Mexico ports.” And it warned that labor strikes could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars a day, “hurting American businesses, workers and consumers across the country.” We urge both sides to reach an agreement by the Monday night deadline.”
For months, the union has threatened to close the 36 ports it covers if employers such as container ship operator Masky (Maerskb.co) open new labels and its North American APM docks do not significantly raise wages and stop dock automation projects. The dispute has raised concerns for companies that rely on shipping to export goods or secure key imports, and the USMX employers' organization accused the ILO of refusing to negotiate.
