45,000 Port Workers Go On Strike For First Time Since 1977

The International Longshoremen’s Association, representing over 45,000 port workers, has gone on strike.

The strike will impact at least 36 major ports around the United States, essentially shutting down the ports overnight.

If the strike lasts for several weeks, it will devastate the U.S. economy and result in mass shortages.

Some economists estimate the strike could result in the U.S. economy losing $5 billion daily.

The strike was the first time port workers orchestrated a shutdown since 1977, when Jimmy Carter was president.

🚨#BREAKING: Over 45,000 U.S. port workers have officially gone on strike from Maine to Texas for the first time since 1977

📌#Unitedstates | #USA

Currently, nearly 50,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) are on strike for the first time since 1977,… pic.twitter.com/5yaLfQ7I5l

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) October 1, 2024

LATE BREAKING: More than 45,000 dock workers from Maine to Texas went on strike at midnight demanding HIGHER WAGES and no automation at the ports..

Experts say a one week strike will cost the United States $3.8 BILLION dollars..

Strike is positioning itself to become the… pic.twitter.com/bhodQx3IhH

— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) October 1, 2024

Check out what The National Pulse reported:

At least 36 major ports around the United States effectively shut down at midnight as a major labor union went on strike. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) union, which represents around 45,000 port workers, says it will order a work stoppage as contract negotiations with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) employer group have completely broken down over demands for a pay increase and guarantees against job automation.

The strike, if it drags out for several weeks, could cripple U.S. markets and cause shortages of a myriad of goods just before the 2024 presidential election. Some estimates indicate the strike—which would halt container ship traffic across the entire eastern seaboard—could cost the U.S. economy upwards of $5 billion per day.This first ILA strike since 1977, under Jimmy Carter, could lead to a shortage of perishable imported foods, foreign alcoholic products, sugar, cocoa, and even furniture and appliances shipping into the United States.

Harold Daggett, who leads the ILA, has blasted shipping companies and port management operators for months for stalling on contract negotiations. Dagget says his members want a pay increase and guarantees against the automation of crane worker jobs in a new contract with the port operators.

The fiery union leader has particularly lambasted the shipping giant Maersk and APM Terminals North America.“These people today don’t know what a strike is,” Dagget said in a recent video, adding: “I’ll cripple you. I will cripple you.”

It's official: 45,000 port workers are now on strike, from Maine to Texas.

"We will cripple you" – Head of ILA pic.twitter.com/ivetfkDCud

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) October 1, 2024

Per AP:

Dockworkers at ports from Maine to Texas began walking picket lines early Tuesday in a strike over wages and automation that could reignite inflation and cause shortages of goods if it goes on more than a few weeks.

The contract between the ports and about 45,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association expired at midnight, and even though progress was reported in talks on Monday, the workers went on strike. The strike affecting 36 ports is the first by the union since 1977.

Workers began picketing at the Port of Philadelphia shortly after midnight, walking in a circle at a rail crossing outside the port and chanting “No work without a fair contract.”

The union had message boards on the side of a truck reading: “Automation Hurts Families: ILA Stands For Job Protection.”