Looming dockworkers strike could have impact on supply chain

BALTIMORE, Md. ( DC News Now ) — There are just a handful of days until a potential strike ensues at ports up and down the East Coast, including at the Port of Baltimore and Port of Virginia.

The potential work stoppage for tens of thousands of dockworkers could create a supply chain problem with impacts far beyond the ports.

Experts cited by the Associated Press said every day of a port strike could take four to six days to clear up.

The dockworkers threatening to strike are hoping for higher wages and safeguards against automation. The strike, which could happen on Tuesday, Oct. 1, would impact all ports along the East Coast.

“Obviously this is a busy time of the year for shipments coming into the country because a lot of retailers are getting their holiday orders,” said Martin Dresner, the dean’s professor of supply chain management at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business.

Dresner told DC News Now items shipped to the East Coast include food items, such as bananas from South America, as well as European cars and farm equipment.

The strike would not impact the West Coast, which Dresner said handles a lot of the Asian-made retail items.

“If the distributors here in the country haven’t stocked up, certain items could be stocked out within weeks, maybe. Or months,” he said. “But I’m assuming most of these companies have stocked up.”

Dresner’s prediction of preparedness is because many companies have been aware of the potential strike for months.

Vinod Agarwal, an economist with Old Dominion University, told DC News Now’s sister station WAVY that most of the people impacted in the short term will be workers such as truck drivers who rely on the shipping industry. That could change the longer the strike goes on.

“I would say that is where most of the damage is going to be,” Agarwal said. “I don’t think… a person on the streets really needs to be concerned about a strike at this time. There is no need to stock up on anything.”

According to the AP, a shortage of some consumer products would likely occur if a work stoppage persists for more than a month.

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