Union Leader Signals Growing Likelihood of October Port Strike
The union halted talks over unresolved issues, including the use of autonomous systems and jurisdictional disputes
The looming threat of a strike at all Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports is becoming more imminent, according to Harold J. Daggett, President of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). With the current contract set to expire in just 80 days on September 30, 2024, the pressure is mounting on employers represented by the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) to negotiate a new contract and avoid a coastwide strike on October 1.
“Only 80 days remain before the end of our current contract and we are waiting on USMX,” said Daggett. “The actions of violating our current Master Contract by some of their members caused us to cancel scheduled negotiations with USMX in early June.”
The ILA halted contract talks with USMX after discovering that Maersk Line and APM Terminals were employing an Auto Gate system, which processes trucks autonomously without ILA labor. Initially identified at the Port of Mobile, Alabama, this system is reportedly in use at other ports as well. On June 10, the ILA announced it would not meet with USMX until the Auto Gate issue is resolved.
The union is also awaiting results from an audit on jobs created by new technology, a report that has been pending for nearly two contract periods. Concerns have risen over the increasing presence of IT personnel on marine terminals, particularly from APM and Maersk’s IT departments in Charlotte, which the ILA believes is encroaching on their jurisdiction.
President Daggett emphasized that ILA members are fully supportive of the union’s stance and are prepared to strike on October 1 if their contract demands are not met.
“We will not entertain any discussions about extending the current contract, nor are we interested in any help from outside agencies to interfere in our negotiations with USMX,” Daggett stated. “This includes the Biden Administration and the Department of Labor.”
As negotiations resume, the ILA expects shipping companies to acknowledge the crucial role that longshore workers played during the pandemic, a period during which ports remained operational, enabling companies to record billion-dollar profits.
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