Dock strike: Longshoremen’s union demand for outright ban on automation questioned
Attorney Jeff Van Drew, RN.J., says potential port strikes across America could actually ‘exacerbate’ supply chain problems in ‘The Evening Edit.’
As thousands of dock workers prepare to strike if an agreement is not reached by the end of Monday, one business leader is questioning the union’s call for a complete shutdown.
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) on Sunday said its 85,000 members, along with “tens of thousands of longshoremen and marine workers around the world,” will strike on Tuesday “and strike all Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports from Maine to Texas.”
The union wants an increase in wages and a total ban on port machinery changes in relation to cranes, gates and moving containers when loading and unloading cargo.
Bill Gurley of Benchmark Capital responded on social media to the union’s demands, writing that the federal government should step in if the union wants a complete shutdown of autos.
PORT EMPLOYERS MEET BIDEN ABIDEN AS POTENTIAL STRIKE PLANNERS
“Breaching the effective use of technology will cost our nation,” Gurley wrote. “We will lose global competitiveness.”
The United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) represents employers at 36 ports that could be affected by a possible strike. (Sam Wolfe/Bloomberg via Getty Images, File/Getty Images)
The ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents employers at 36 ports that may be affected by the strike, are at odds over issues including wages and changing equipment at the ports.
The White House confirmed that administration officials met with both sides and urged them to continue negotiations. (Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images, File / Getty Images)
“The United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) refuses to address 50 years of wage fraud where Ocean Carriers’ profits have increased from millions to mega-billion, while ILA longshore wages have remained low,” the ILA said on Sunday.
WHAT PRODUCTS COULD BE DISRUPTED BY THE PORT STRIKE?
A White House official on Friday confirmed to Fox Business that senior White House, Labor and Transportation Department officials met with the groups ahead of the possible strike, urging them to return to the table to negotiate “sincerely and promptly.”
Chris Butler, CEO of the National Tree Company, explains why he and other businesses are hoping for a solution to the potential port strike as the holidays approach ‘The Bottom Line.’
A possible strike at the ports will disrupt exports and imports from East Coast and Gulf Coast ports.
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A JP Morgan analysis estimates that the strike will cost the US economy up to $5 billion a day.
FOX Business’ Daniel Hillsdon and Eric Revell contributed to this report.
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