On Sept. 30, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) released a statement that the “United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) continues to block the path toward a settlement on a new Master Contract by refusing ILA’s demands for a fair and decent contract.” The statement suggested USMX “seems intent on causing a strike at all ports from Maine to Texas.” The contract between the ILA and the USMX covering East and Gulf Coast ports is set to expire on Sept. 30. The strike is expected to begin at midnight.
Wage Scale Committee Meetings between ILA and USMX began on Wednesday, Sept. 4. The International Longshoremen’s Association, which represents 45,000 dockworkers, is pushing for a 50% pay increase.
“The Ocean Carriers represented by USMX want to enjoy rich billion-dollar profits that they are making in 2024, while they offer ILA Longshore Workers an unacceptable wage package that we reject”, the ILA statement said. “ILA longshore workers deserve to be compensated for the important work they do keeping American commerce moving and growing. It’s disgraceful that most of these foreign-owned shipping companies are engaged in a ‘Make and Take’ operation: They want to make their billion-dollar profits at United States ports, and off the backs of American ILA longshore workers, and take those earnings out of this country and into the pockets of foreign conglomerates. Meanwhile, ILA dedicated longshore workers continue to be crippled by inflation due to USMX’s unfair wage packages. “
A strike would cause 36 ports, handling roughly half of country’s imported goods, to stop operations. It is predicted that a lengthy shutdown is bound to raise prices on consumer goods and hurt the U.S. economy, while a brief strike would cause serious disruptions. For every day of a port strike, experts predict it will take four to six days to resolve backlog.
“In addition, the shippers are gouging their customers that result in increased costs to American consumers. They are now charging $30,000 for a full container, a whopping increase from $6,000 per container just a few weeks ago,” the ILA statement said. “In just a short time, they went from 6K, to 18K, then 24K and now $30,000. It’s unheard of and they are doubling their $30,000 fee stuffing the same container from multiple shippers. They are killing the customers.”
The ILA states that it will continue to update the media as information becomes available.
