Dockworker Strike Begins at East and West Coast Ports

Thousands of dockworkers went on strike Tuesday after union contract negotiations failed.

Key Details: Workers at 36 ports went on strike after a deadlock over International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) demands on compensation, wage hikes, and protection from automation. The ILA represents about 85,000 members, and the strike is expected to snarl supply chains and result in higher prices and shortages if it lasts more than a few days. The ILA will exempt military cargoes and cruise ships from the strike.

Key Quotes: ILA President Harold Daggett said, "USMX brought on this strike when they decided to hold firm to foreign owned Ocean Carriers earning billion-dollar profits at United States ports, but not compensate the American ILA longshore workers who perform the labor that brings them their wealth." The United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) said in a statement, "Our offer would increase wages by nearly 50 percent, triple employer contributions to employee retirement plans, strengthen our health care options, and retain the current language around automation and semi-automation."

For Context: There has not been an East Coast port strike since 1977, well before global trade became a more critical part of the U.S. supply chain. The Biden administration has declined to intervene in other recent labor disputes, including the UPS negotiations with its workers.

How the Media Covered it: Sources across the political spectrum noted that under the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act, President Biden has the authority to step in and either present or end a strike, but is unlikely to risk blowback from unions.