Longshoremen Prepare for Strike Amid Contract Dispute

A looming strike involving 45,000 dockworkers from the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) is set to disrupt nearly half of U.S. imports, with major repercussions for the supply chain and retail prices. The dockworkers are primarily protesting stagnant wages, unsafe working conditions, and job threats posed by automation, as they prepare for their first strike since 1977. Trade groups and the Biden administration are being urged to intervene to prevent the strike, while dock operators scramble to stockpile cargo ahead of the deadline. Economic analysts warn that even a one-day strike could lead to significant losses, with estimates suggesting $15 million per day in local economic activity could be lost. The union has filed a lawsuit demanding a ban on automated equipment and a substantial pay increase to align with inflation. Experts predict that the strike would affect 14 ports from Maine to Texas, significantly impacting the supply chain and potentially raising grocery prices.