ILA Strike Escalates, Hits U.S. Economy Hard

Approximately 50,000 longshore workers from the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) have initiated a strike, impacting ports along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts after failing to reach a contract agreement with the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX). The workers demand higher wages and protections against automation, as inflation has outpaced their current pay. The strike is projected to cost the U.S. economy between $4.5 and $7.5 billion weekly, affecting the supply of goods such as perishable produce and auto parts. Political and economic pressures are mounting, with President Biden urged to consider the Taft-Hartley Act. Vice President Harris's campaign is disrupted by the strike alongside other national and international crises. The strike underscores the significant influence dockworkers hold over U.S. trade and the broader economy.