Dock workers sing as they circle the entrance to Bayport Terminal on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Houston.

Nearly 50,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) went on strike Tuesday against the nation’s East and Gulf Coast ports, choking the flow of many of the country’s imports and exports in what is America’s most disruptive work stoppage in decades could be.

The strike, which was confirmed by the Port Authorities of New York and New Jersey and the Port of Virginia, began at midnight. There appears to be a wide gap between the union’s demands and the offer of the United States Maritime Alliance, which uses the acronym USMX. The maritime alliance represents the major shipping lines, all of which are foreign-owned; as well as terminal operators and port authorities.

The strike will halt the flow of a wide variety of goods through the docks of nearly all cargo ports from Maine to Texas. This includes everything from bananas to European beer, wine and spirits, along with furniture, clothing, household goods and European cars, as well as parts needed to keep American factories running and American workers employed in those factories. It could also stop U.S. exports now flowing through these ports, hurting sales for U.S. companies.

Depending on the duration of the strike, this could lead to shortages of consumer and industrial goods, which could then lead to price increases. It could also be a setback for the economy, which is showing signs of recovery after the pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions led to a spike in inflation.

While the union says there are about 50,000 members covered by the contract, the USMX estimates the number of port jobs is closer to 25,000, with not enough jobs for all employees in the union to work every day.

The ports involved include the ports of New York and New Jersey, the third largest port in the country in terms of cargo volumes handled. It also includes ports with other specialties.