The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) has signaled that a strike at all Atlantic and Gulf Coast Ports is increasingly likely, with only 80 days left until the current contract expires on September 30, 2024. Harold J. Daggett, ILA President and the union’s Chief Negotiator, emphasized the urgency for the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) to negotiate a new Master Contract to prevent a strike commencing on October 1, 2024.
“Only 80 days remain before the end of our current contract and we are waiting on USMX,” Daggett stated. He cited violations of the current Master Contract by some USMX members as the reason for halting scheduled negotiations in early June. Specifically, APM Terminals and Maersk Line’s implementation of an Auto Gate system, which autonomously processes trucks without ILA labor, has been a significant point of contention. This system, initially noticed at the Port of Mobile, Alabama, is reportedly in use at other ports too.
Daggett noted that on June 10, 2024, the ILA decided it would not resume talks with USMX until the Auto Gate issue is fully addressed. Additionally, the union awaits results from an audit on jobs created by new technology, a report they’ve expected for nearly two contract periods. Concerns are growing as the ILA has seen an increasing presence of IT personnel at marine terminals, fearing that APM and Maersk’s IT operations in Charlotte, North Carolina, are infringing on their jurisdiction.
Daggett stressed that ILA members are unanimously supportive of his stance and are prepared to take action on October 1st if their contract demands remain unmet. “We will not entertain any discussions about extending the current contract, nor are we interested in any help from outside agencies to interfere in our negotiations with USMX,” Daggett declared, explicitly excluding any involvement from the Biden Administration and the Department of Labor.
The ILA also expects that when negotiations resume, shipping companies will acknowledge the significant contributions made by ILA longshore workers during the pandemic, a time when ports remained operational, enabling companies to amass billion-dollar profits.
With the deadline rapidly approaching, the maritime industry is watching closely, aware that a strike could significantly impact operations along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. The ILA’s firm stance and the unresolved issues with USMX suggest a tense period ahead for all stakeholders involved.
About the International Longshoremen’s Association:
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) is the largest union of maritime workers in North America, representing 85,000 longshore workers along the East Coast, Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Great Lakes, and major U.S. rivers. Its membership includes longshore workers in Eastern Canada and the Bahamas. The ILA is dedicated to ensuring fair labor practices and protecting the rights and jobs of its members.
