The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) recently ended a significant strike affecting East and Gulf Coast ports, securing a tentative agreement that includes a 61.5% wage increase over six years. However, the central issue remains unresolved: the threat of automation in port operations, which the union aims to restrict. ILA president Harold Daggett emphasized the need for guarantees of continued union labor and protections against the introduction of automated machinery. As automation becomes more prevalent in global shipping, concerns grow about job security for dockworkers, especially in the face of recent technological advancements seen in ports around the world. The union's negotiations will continue until January 15, focusing on tightening language around automation in their contracts. The outcome of these discussions could have broader implications for labor relations across various industries facing similar challenges from automation.