Arish Mujawar, Pune
Thousands of dockworkers have started an indefinite strike at ports throughout the majority of the United States, ahead of the holiday shopping season and the presidential election. This represents a huge threat to trade and the economy.
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) organized a strike at 14 major ports along the east and gulf coasts on Tuesday, stopping container movement from Maine to Texas.It has been almost fifty years since there has been a shutdown of this kind.
In order to continue talks, President Joe Biden might choose to postpone the strike for an extra eighty days, despite the White House’s declaration that he will not take action.
The parties’ current agreement ended on Monday, and talks had been deadlocked for a few months.Vice President Kamala Harris and President Biden were closely monitoring the strike, according to the White House.
President Biden has instructed his staff to personally inform the opposing parties that they must quickly and fairly come to the negotiating table in good faith.
Over 25,000 port workers are employed for roll-on/roll-off and container operations under a master contract that covers six years and is the subject of dispute between the two parties. Firms that operate maritime terminals, port associations, and shipping firms are members of the US Maritime Alliance, also known as USMX.
Improved health care options, increased company contributions to pension plans, and a roughly 50% increase in earnings are all benefits of USMX’s Monday announcement that it has increased its offer.Trade union head Harold Daggett has requested significant pay raises for his members, despite voicing worries about the difficulties brought about by automation.
USMX complained to labor regulators, stating that the union was unwilling to negotiate and asking them to compel the union to go back to the negotiating table.
Under the previous deal, starting pay ranged from $20 to $39 per hour, depending on experience. Workers also receive other benefits, such as bonuses associated with the container trade.
Mr. Daggett claims that the union is requesting a five-dollar yearly rise in hourly pay throughout the six-year pact, or roughly ten percent annually.
Given that the Covid pandemic caused inflation to severely effect wages, the ILA claimed that workers should be compensated. It has warned that its members—including those who are not directly involved in this dispute—may go on a larger strike, though the exact number is uncertain.
The union claims to represent over 85,000 people, and in its annual report to the Labor Department, it reported that it had over 47,000 active members.