RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Shipping ports along the Gulf and East Coast are just hours away from a work stoppage after two unions continued their contract dispute.

The International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) are at an impasse. Her current six-year contract expires at midnight on Tuesday.

The ILA is calling for a 77% wage increase over the next six years and a limit on automation, while the USMX is offering a 40% wage increase.

If no agreement is reached, the dispute is expected to lead to a work stoppage at ports from Texas to Maine, including the Port of Wilmington.

“The shipping companies represented by USMX want to enjoy the whopping billions in profits they will make in 2024 while offering ILA Longshore workers an unacceptable wage package that we reject,” the ILA said in a written statement on its website. “Meanwhile, ILA-dedicated longshoremen continue to suffer from inflation due to USMX’s unfair wage packages.”

On Monday, the Port of Wilmington was open until 6 p.m. and agreed to allow materials to be unloaded until 11:59 p.m

From midnight all ports will be closed unless an agreement is reached.

“It’s a trickle-down effect,” said Tim Subelink, owner of Home Accent Furnishings. He and his wife have been in Raleigh on Hillsborough Street for 10 years.

They source much of their inventory from shipments received through Wilmington. They use a Virginia supplier who receives products from Wilmington.

If there is a stoppage at the ports, the product will not be delivered to the supplier. In return, the subelinks would ultimately also be affected.

“(I) pray they don’t close,” Subelink said.

The longer the standstill lasts, the greater the backlog of ships waiting to unload becomes.

“The ships that are there today cannot leave. Ships arrive tomorrow that cannot enter. Ships arrive on the 2nd. Ships arrive on October 3rd. And they will just do it to start anchoring,” he said.

Although there is no immediate impact on customers, Subelink says this is no reason to believe everyone is in the clear.

“Again, it depends on how long the ports are closed and how much inventory is currently in stock. It could be a month before we actually see a problem,” he said.

Economists say the shutdown could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars.