Washington, D.C. (October 4, 2024): Following an October 2 letter to President Biden, signed by SFIA and 300 organizations requesting the Administration engage in the East Coast Port labor contract talks, the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) agreed to a 62 percent wage increase for dockworkers and suspended the strike on October 3. The ports will need time to get back up to speed as they deal with the backlog from the strike, but supply chains are safe now.
The strike ‘suspension’ expires on January 15, providing a temporary reprieve during the Holiday season. The two sides will continue to negotiate on outstanding issues including benefits, sharing container royalties, and automation at the ports. Automation at the ports is likely to be the most contentious issue as the ILA seeks to protect union jobs threatened by new technology. SFIA will continue to press for resolution of the outstanding issues prior to January 15 to avoid any disruption in U.S. supply chains.
The ILA was seeking a 77 percent pay increase and USMX was offering a 50 percent increase. Secretary of Labor Su, Secretary of Transportation Buttigieg, and National Economic Council Director Brainard worked with the parties to come to an agreement to end the strike. SFIA commends the Administration for engaging the ILA and USMX to find common ground to keep the ports open and U.S. supply chains operating at full capacity.
For more information, please contact Bill Sells, SFIA SVP for Government & Public Affairs, at [email protected].