The nation’s trucking union has thrown its support behind the strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association, which today idled 36 ports from Maine to Texas.
In a statement today, International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said, “The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, including our members in the freight industry, stand in full solidarity with the International Longshoremen’s Association as they fight for a just and fair contract with the ocean carriers represented by USMX (United States Maritime Alliance.”
O’Brien said dockworkers play a critical role in the nation’s economy and “deserve industry-leading wages and robust protections for the vital work they perform.”
The Teamsters president also warned against the federal government acting to end the strike. O’Brien said, “Corporations for too long have been able to rely on political puppets to help them strip working people of their inherent leverage.” The White House has urged both sides to keep negotiations moving forward, and President Joe Biden has said he does not plan to intervene in the strike.
Meanwhile, Eric Hoplin, CEO of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, issued a statement this morning calling on President Biden to act to end the strike.
“The East and Gulf Coast port strike is putting our economy and national security at risk,” said Hoplin. “This strike isn’t just about disrupting a few shipments; it’s about stopping the supply chain and bringing the flow of critical goods to a standstill.
“The damage could reach $5 billion a day, with small and mid-sized businesses at risk due to missed deliveries and empty shelves. The Biden administration must use its authority now to stop the strike before the impact becomes irreversible.”
The 45,000 members of the longshoremen’s union walked off the job at midnight today when the current contract expired. The union is seeking wage increases as well as a ban on automation at the ports, which handle about 40% of the shipments coming into the U.S.
In a statement Monday, the ILA said, “The Ocean Carriers represented by USMX want to enjoy rich billion-dollar profits that they are making in 2024, while they offer ILA Longshore Workers an unacceptable wage package that we reject. ILA longshore workers deserve to be compensated for the important work they do keeping American commerce moving and growing.”
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