Thousands of dockworkers from Maine to Texas strike for better wages, automation protections

Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Tens of thousands of dockworkers from ports spanning Maine to Texas walked off the job early Tuesday as they went on strike, demanding better wages and protections against automation.

The strike comes as the contract between the International Longshoremen's Association union and U.S. Maritime Alliance expired at midnight. The dockworkers rejected a final proposal from the coalition of docks and carriers on Monday.

At 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, dockworkers began setting up picket lines at waterfront facilities along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, the union said, marking the first coast-wide strike by the longshoremen in nearly 50 years.

"USMX brought on this strike when they decided to hold firm to foreign-owned Ocean Carriers earning billion-dollar profits at United States ports, but not compensate the American ILA longshore workers who perform the labor that brings them their wealth," ILA President Harold Daggett said in a statement .

"We are prepared to fight as long as necessary, to stay out on strike for whatever period of time it takes, to get the wages and protections against automation our ILA members deserve."

The strike affects some 24,000 workers and at 14 ports, raising fears of the damage it could cost to the U.S. economy.

"Business Roundtable is deeply concerned about the potential strike at the East Coast and Gulf Coast ports," the lobbyist nonprofit said in a statement a few days ahead of the strike.

"A port strike could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars a day, hurting American businesses, workers and consumers across the country. We urge both sides to come to an agreement before Monday night's deadline."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Monday called on President Joe Biden to intervene in the negotiations by invoking the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act, which restricts the powers of unions and includes an 80-day waiting period before a strike can commence.

According to the chamber , the ports in question handle more than 68% of all containerized exports and more than half of all U.S. imports with a daily trade value of more than $2.1 billion.

It said congestion caused by the strike would force shippers to use longer sea and land routes, and for every day of the strike, it would take up to seven to clear the backlog.

"A one-week strike in October could therefore cause slowdowns well into November, creating further headaches for the holiday shopping season," it said.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a press conference Monday that they are "working tirelessly" to mitigate the effects of the strike on the supply chain, especially concerning critical goods, such medical supplies.

She said they are working to get as many as 100,000 cargo containers holding items from cars to consumer goods sitting on ships at locations in the state offloaded.

"We know the urgency is before us," she said. "I want to make sure while we hope for a resolution to this matter that New York is fully prepared. We have been anticipating this."

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has voiced full-throated support for the dockworker, while calling on the Biden administration to stay out of the negotiations.

"The ocean carriers are on strike against themselves after failing to negotiate a contract that recognizes the value of these workers," Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien said Monday in a statement .

"The Teamsters Union is 100% committed to standing with our Longshoremen brothers and sisters until they win the contract they deserve."