Port worker strike looms as pay negotiations stall

The strike, which would impact the U.S. import and export of goods from retail products to cars, could cost the U.S. economy as much as $5 billion each day.

By Nicholas Ballasy

Published: September 30, 2024 9:00am

U.S. East Coast and Gulf of Mexico plan to strike starting on Tuesday, said the International Longshoremen’s Association union, which would be the first coast-wide strike to take place since 1977.

Negotiations over pay have stalled and no meetings are reportedly scheduled before the labor contract between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which represents about 45,000 port workers, and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) employer group expires at midnight Monday.

The port worker strike, which would impact the U.S. import and export of goods from retail products to cars, could cost the U.S. economy as much as $5 billion each day.

The United States Maritime Alliance "refuses to address a half-century of wage subjugation," the union said in a statement on Sunday.