close
close

first Drop

Com TW NOw News 2024

    • Dock workers are on strike at the Ports of New York and New Jersey and elsewhere
    news

    Dock workers are on strike at the Ports of New York and New Jersey and elsewhere

    Vaseline Posted on

    2 minutes reading

    play

    Dock workers at ports from Maine to New Jersey to Texas went on strike Tuesday for the first time since 1977. Some experts say this could disrupt the supply chain and billions of dollars of products for weeks or longer just before the holiday shopping season begins. out.

    The North Jersey-based International Longshoremen’s Association has resigned and is looking for a big pay raise as their latest contract expired at noon Tuesday. They are also against automation in the ports, which threaten their jobs.

    Striking longshoremen stood at several locations outside the Port of Newark and the Port of Elizabeth on Tuesday morning with signs that read: “Automation is harming families: ILA stands for job protection.” Every now and then someone would drive by honking and raising their fist in support.

    Story continues below photo gallery

    The union leaders moved from location to location to address the striking workers. In one spot, a DJ played music and strikers took advantage of several food trucks parked nearby.

    “They’ve made billions and billions of dollars over the last few years because of COVID and everything,” Buddy Smith, president of ILA Local 1233, told the strikers, referring to the shipping and terminal companies. ‘We’ve been working. We have lost members. We’re just asking the companies to take us with them.”

    “Automation and going too far with technology, we just can’t afford that,” Smith said. “We’re putting people out of work.”

    ILA leaders ended contract talks in June after learning that some form of automation had been introduced at the Port of Mobile, Alabama, a move they said violated the existing contract.

    Last week, the United States Maritime Alliance, or 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 over the ILA’s adamant position that it should not facilitate contract negotiations would resume.

    The USMX had issued a statement late Monday saying it and the union had exchanged counter-offers regarding wages over the past 24 hours. The USMX said it has increased its offer and also requested an extension of the current contract as both parties have exited their previous positions.

    The attack affects 36 ports

    However, longshoremen struck early Tuesday at 36 ports on the East and Gulf coasts, including the Ports of New York and New Jersey, which have major facilities in Newark, Elizabeth and Staten Island.

    Port workers union leaders are seeking significant pay increases for their members, saying they deserve a fair share of the profits made by shipping and port terminal companies as freight volumes remain higher following demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The USMX had said its latest offering would increase wages by nearly 50%, triple employer contributions to workers’ 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, disrupt holiday shopping for millions of Americans and determine whether many small and medium-sized businesses and farmers make profits or lose money this year, experts say.

    What impact will the strike have on the Port of New York and New Jersey?

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

    Cruise ships will continue to operate despite the strike.

    Fuel, such as heating oil, would not be affected.

    Municipal waste processing would also not be affected.

    Imports and exports of road salt, cement, Belgian block, scrap metal, edible oils and orange juice will continue, officials said.

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

    Container ships carrying imports bound for Newark, Elizabeth and Staten Island would eventually moor at designated locations in New York Harbor or offshore while the strike lasts, or simply slow down, drift and hang around to wait out the strike in the Atlantic Ocean , officials say. said.

    President Joe Biden has said he will not invoke the Taft-Hartley Act to block the strike. Instead, White House officials encouraged continued discussions despite months of pleas for help from retail, agriculture, trade, auto care, toy and other groups.

    Check back for more on this developing story.

    This story contains information from USA Today.

    Vaseline
    View all posts

    You Might Also Like