Dockworkers on Strike

Longshoremen went on strike at ports along the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico at Midnight to start in October of 2024. This action will disrupt the economy and halt trade across various goods just weeks before the presidential election.

The negotiations between the longshoremen and port operators have been going on since June, and there has yet to be any movement to an agreement leading to where we are today.

The strike impacts container-shipped products up to 36 ports from Maine to Texas. Although shippers and port managers have been preparing for months to minimize disruptions, analysts predict that a significant volume of imports and exports will still be affected.

The International Longshoremen’s Association, representing thousands of workers, cannot agree on a new labor contract. The union advocates for substantial pay increases and assurances that automation won’t replace human jobs.

The 14 major ports in the union contract handle slightly more than half of the nation’s container trade, forming a critical link in supply chains connecting the U.S. to the global economy.

Supply chain experts say the strike won’t immediately impact consumers since most retailers have preemptively stocked up by advancing shipments of holiday merchandise. However, if the work stoppage lasts beyond a few weeks, it could severely disrupt the national supply chain, resulting in higher prices and delays in getting products to households and businesses. Furthermore, a prolonged strike could force businesses to absorb shipping delay costs and cause items to arrive late for the peak holiday season.

Source: Associated Press

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The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the Firm, its clients, or any of its or their respective affiliates. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice.