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    • Longshoremen strike at the Port of New York, New Jersey and elsewhere
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    Longshoremen strike at the Port of New York, New Jersey and elsewhere

    Eira Gwyneth Posted on

    2 minute read

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    Longshoremen at ports from Maine to New Jersey to Texas went on strike Tuesday for the first time since 1977. Some experts say it could disrupt the supply chain and billions of dollars’ worth of products just before the start of the holiday shopping season for weeks or longer.

    The North Jersey-based International Longshoremen’s Association terminated the job and sought a significant raise since its last contract expired at noon on Tuesday. They also oppose automation at the ports, which puts their jobs at risk.

    Striking longshoremen stood at several locations outside the Port of Newark and Port of Elizabeth on Tuesday morning with signs that read, “Automation is hurting families: ILA stands for job protection.” Occasionally, someone would honk and raise their fist in support.

    The story continues in the photo gallery

    Union leadership rotated between locations to address striking workers. At one point, a DJ played music and the strikers took advantage of several food trucks parked nearby.

    ILA executives broke off contract negotiations in June after learning that a form of automation had been implemented at the Port of Mobile in Alabama, a move they said violated the existing contract.

    Last week, the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), a group of shipping and port terminal companies also based in North Jersey, filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board because of the ILA’s insistence not to reopen contract negotiations .

    The USMX had issued a statement late Monday evening saying it and the union had exchanged counteroffers regarding wages over the past 24 hours. USMX said it had increased its offer and also requested an extension of the current contract as both sides abandoned their previous positions.

    The attack hits 36 ports

    However, longshoremen went on strike early Tuesday at 36 ports on the East and Gulf Coasts, including the Port of New York and New Jersey, which has key facilities in Newark, Elizabeth and Staten Island.

    Longshore workers union leaders are calling for significant wage increases for their members, saying they deserve a fair share of the profits made by shipping and port terminal companies as cargo volumes continue to be higher following demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The USMX had said its latest offer would increase wages by nearly 50%, triple employer contributions to employee retirement plans, strengthen health care options and maintain current contract language around automation and semi-automation.

    The strike could cost the economy up to $5 billion a day, upend holiday shopping for millions of Americans and determine whether many small and medium-sized businesses and farmers make a profit or lose money this year, experts say.

    President Joe Biden has said he will not invoke the Taft-Hartley Act to block the strike. Instead, White House officials encouraged ongoing discussions, even though retail, agriculture, trade, auto care, toys and other groups had been asking for help for months.

    Check back for more on this developing story.

    This story contains information from USA Today.

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    Eira Gwyneth
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