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Longshoremen strike at the Port of New York, New Jersey and elsewhere


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Longshoremen at ports from Maine to New Jersey to Texas went on strike Tuesday for the first time since 1977. Some experts say it could disrupt the supply chain and billions of dollars' worth of products just before the start of the holiday shopping season for weeks or longer.

The North Jersey-based International Longshoremen's Association terminated the job and sought a significant raise since its last contract expired at noon on Tuesday. They also oppose automation at the ports, which puts their jobs at risk.

Striking longshoremen stood at several locations outside the Port of Newark and Port of Elizabeth on Tuesday morning with signs that read, “Automation is hurting families: ILA stands for job protection.” Occasionally, someone would honk and raise their fist in support.

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Union leadership rotated between locations to address striking workers. At one point, a DJ played music and the strikers took advantage of several food trucks parked nearby.

“They've made billions and billions of dollars over the last few years through COVID and everything,” Buddy Smith, president of ILA Local 1233, told the strikers, referring to the shipping and terminal companies. “We worked. We lost members. We’re just asking the companies to give us a lift.”

“We simply cannot afford automation and too much technological progress,” said Smith. “We’re putting people out of work.”

ILA executives broke off contract negotiations in June after learning that a form of automation had been implemented at the Port of Mobile in Alabama, a move they said violated the existing contract.

Last week, the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), a group of shipping and port terminal companies also based in North Jersey, filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board because of the ILA's insistence not to reopen contract negotiations .

The USMX had issued a statement late Monday evening saying it and the union had exchanged counteroffers regarding wages over the past 24 hours. USMX said it had increased its offer and also requested an extension of the current contract as both sides abandoned their previous positions.

The attack hits 36 ports

However, longshoremen went on strike early Tuesday at 36 ports on the East and Gulf Coasts, including the Port of New York and New Jersey, which has key facilities in Newark, Elizabeth and Staten Island.

Longshore workers union leaders are calling for significant wage increases for their members, saying they deserve a fair share of the profits made by shipping and port terminal companies as cargo volumes continue to be higher following demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The USMX had said its latest offer would increase wages by nearly 50%, triple employer contributions to employee retirement plans, strengthen health care options and maintain current contract language around automation and semi-automation.

The strike could cost the economy up to $5 billion a day, upend holiday shopping for millions of Americans and determine whether many small and medium-sized businesses and farmers make a profit or lose money this year, experts say.

What impact does the strike have on the ports of New York and New Jersey?

At the Port of New York and New Jersey, the strike has resulted in a halt to all activities related to the loading and unloading of cargo containers and cars.

Cruise ships will continue to sail despite the strike.

Fuels such as heating oil would not be affected.

Municipal waste disposal companies would also not be affected.

The import and export of road salt, cement, Belgian blocks, scrap metal, cooking oils and orange juice will continue, officials said.

Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said 35 ships are expected to enter and anchor in the port next week.

Container ships carrying imports to Newark, Elizabeth and Staten Island would moor at specific locations in New York Harbor or offshore during the strike or simply slow down, drift and loiter to ride out the strike in the Atlantic, officials said.

President Joe Biden has said he will not invoke the Taft-Hartley Act to block the strike. Instead, White House officials encouraged ongoing discussions, even though retail, agriculture, trade, auto care, toys and other groups had been asking for help for months.

Check back for more on this developing story.

This story contains information from USA Today.

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