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(New York, NY) – Dockworkers on the East and Gulf Coasts of the U.S. began a strike at midnight Tuesday, marking the first major work stoppage in nearly half a century. This strike has disrupted approximately half of the nation’s ocean shipping due to failed negotiations over wages and terminal automation. Analysts project that this disruption could cost the economy billions of dollars daily, threaten jobs, and worsen inflation. The International Longshoremen’s Association, representing 45,000 port workers, has been in talks with the United States Maritime Alliance for a new six-year contract. While White House officials are hopeful for a brief strike, President Biden has stated he will not invoke federal powers to compel dockworkers to return to work.
Officials in New York and New Jersey are formulating a response after dockworkers began their strike at midnight. Tens of thousands of union members from the International Longshoremen’s Association are participating, impacting ports from Maine to Texas, including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The workers are chanting “I-L-A” to emphasize that this strike will affect imports and exports nationwide. The dockworkers are demanding higher wages and job protections against automation. Reports indicate that ships en route to the East Coast and Gulf Coast are being redirected to Anchorage, Alaska.
