The International Longshoremen’s Association is accusing container shipping lines of ripping off customers, but rates are four times lower than the union claims.
While a potential East and Gulf Coast port strike likely won’t hamper the holiday shopping season, industries such as automotive and food and beverage could be negatively affected, a transportation lawyer says.
Container traffic at the second-busiest U.S. port complex will come to a halt Oct. 1 absent a new contract covering 45,000 union longshore workers from Texas to Maine.
East and Gulf Coast port employers insist a new union contract is still within reach before an Oct. 1 strike deadline, and urged the International Longshoremen’s Association to return to the bargaining table.
The Biden administration could face the wrath of unions or public perceptions of a faltering economy, depending on whether it intervenes in East and Gulf Coast dockworkers’ labor dispute.
No talks are scheduled between employers and the International Longshoremen’s Association, which represents unionized workers at ports on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts. Bargaining has stalled over technology and pay issues.
Maritime Employers Association announces longshore workers will handle ‘controlled substances and COVID-19-related merchandise.’
Ongoing labor dispute has “paralyzed” port operations.
