Port operators from New England to Texas braced for a strike by the powerful longshoremen’s union that appeared likely to begin early Tuesday, a work stoppage that will bring trade to a halt along the coast and send ripples through the broader economy.
Five weeks before the national election, the White House said administration officials had been in touch with both sides and was “working around the clock” over the weekend to avert the strike.
The shippers and operators, represented by the United States Maritime Alliance, issued a statement late Monday saying the sides had traded proposals in recent days and requesting a contract extension to allow for further negotiations. The alliance described its offer as generous, including 50 percent raises. The union did not immediately respond publicly as the clock ticked toward a midnight deadline.
A prolonged strike, anticipated at three dozen ports along the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico, could lead to shortages in retail stores and price increases, and even a short one would snarl the supply chains that link the United States to the rest of the world. With no signs of progress between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the Maritme Alliance, businesses have been preparing for months in case of a strike. But analysts say the economic impact of a shutdown will be impossible to avoid.
The effects of a strike are not expected to be as severe as the disruptions to trade during the pandemic, but could rekindle worries about shortages in stores and inflation just weeks from a presidential election in which the economy has been a key issue.
“We don’t anticipate shortages of essential goods any time soon. So, for example, people do not need to rush out to the grocery store and stockpile goods like they did during the pandemic,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told reporters on Monday.
Stockpiles of pharmaceuticals, which mostly arrive by airfreight, and food products should enable New Yorkers to ride out a weeks-long shipping interruption, said Hochul, a Democrat. Most of the food consumed in New York arrives by truck from Canada, Mexico and California. Deliveries of fuel such as gasoline, diesel and home heating oil will be unaffected by the strike.
Port strike on East Coast is imminent as union deal remains elusive - The Washington Post
With strike looming, progress is reported in talks between Eastern and Gulf ports and dockworkers
NEW YORK (AP) — With a strike deadline looming, the union for 45,000 dockworkers and the group representing East and Gulf Coast ports have exchanged wage offers, leaving a ray of hope that a deal can be reached without a major work stoppage.
In a statement, the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents 36 ports from Maine to Texas, said that both sides have moved from their previous positions. The alliance said it also asked the union to extend the current contract.
The International Longshoremen’s Association is threatening to strike at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday in a move that could silence ports that handle about half the ship cargo coming in and going out of the U.S.
A message was left Monday evening seeking comment from the union.
“We are hopeful that this could allow us to fully resume collective bargaining around the other outstanding issues in an effort to reach an agreement,” the alliance statement said.
The Alliance said its latest offer would increases wages by nearly 50% over the six-year contract, and triple employer contributions to retirement plans. The offer also would strengthen health care options and keep current language that limits automation.
Progress is reported between ports and dockworkers with strike looming | AP News
Five weeks before the national election, the White House said administration officials had been in touch with both sides and was “working around the clock” over the weekend to avert the strike.
The shippers and operators, represented by the United States Maritime Alliance, issued a statement late Monday saying the sides had traded proposals in recent days and requesting a contract extension to allow for further negotiations. The alliance described its offer as generous, including 50 percent raises. The union did not immediately respond publicly as the clock ticked toward a midnight deadline.
A prolonged strike, anticipated at three dozen ports along the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico, could lead to shortages in retail stores and price increases, and even a short one would snarl the supply chains that link the United States to the rest of the world. With no signs of progress between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the Maritme Alliance, businesses have been preparing for months in case of a strike. But analysts say the economic impact of a shutdown will be impossible to avoid.
The effects of a strike are not expected to be as severe as the disruptions to trade during the pandemic, but could rekindle worries about shortages in stores and inflation just weeks from a presidential election in which the economy has been a key issue.
“We don’t anticipate shortages of essential goods any time soon. So, for example, people do not need to rush out to the grocery store and stockpile goods like they did during the pandemic,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told reporters on Monday.
Stockpiles of pharmaceuticals, which mostly arrive by airfreight, and food products should enable New Yorkers to ride out a weeks-long shipping interruption, said Hochul, a Democrat. Most of the food consumed in New York arrives by truck from Canada, Mexico and California. Deliveries of fuel such as gasoline, diesel and home heating oil will be unaffected by the strike.
Port strike on East Coast is imminent as union deal remains elusive - The Washington Post
With strike looming, progress is reported in talks between Eastern and Gulf ports and dockworkers
NEW YORK (AP) — With a strike deadline looming, the union for 45,000 dockworkers and the group representing East and Gulf Coast ports have exchanged wage offers, leaving a ray of hope that a deal can be reached without a major work stoppage.
In a statement, the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents 36 ports from Maine to Texas, said that both sides have moved from their previous positions. The alliance said it also asked the union to extend the current contract.
The International Longshoremen’s Association is threatening to strike at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday in a move that could silence ports that handle about half the ship cargo coming in and going out of the U.S.
A message was left Monday evening seeking comment from the union.
“We are hopeful that this could allow us to fully resume collective bargaining around the other outstanding issues in an effort to reach an agreement,” the alliance statement said.
The Alliance said its latest offer would increases wages by nearly 50% over the six-year contract, and triple employer contributions to retirement plans. The offer also would strengthen health care options and keep current language that limits automation.
Progress is reported between ports and dockworkers with strike looming | AP News
