45,000 U.S. longshoremen are threatening a strike over the use of automation at ports on the East and Gulf coasts.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vowing to stop machines from taking their jobs, 45,000 U.S. longshoremen are threatening to go on a strike that would shut down ports on the East and Gulf coasts and could damage the American economy just as President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. If the standoff sounds familiar, it’s because the same dockworkers — members of the International Longshoremen’s Association — staged a three-day walkout last fall.
In October, they agreed to a tentative contract with ports and shipping companies for a 62% pay raise over six years, postponing the strike until Jan. 15. But union members must approve a final contract before receiving the higher wages. Negotiations resume Tuesday between the ILA and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shippers. The sticking point is a familiar one at America’s ports: specifically semi-automated cranes operated by software or employees working remotely to guide containers onto trucks or trains. Conventional cranes have a human at the controls. The union and its president, Harold Daggett, are dead set against allowing additional automation at East and Gulf coast ports. They argue that the machines aren’t any more efficient than human labor. “This isn’t about meeting operational needs,’’ Daggett’s son Dennis Daggett, the union’s executive vice president, wrote last month. “It’s about replacing workers under the guise of progress while maximizing corporate profits at the expense of good-paying, family-sustaining U.S. jobs.’’ Port operators and shipping companies argue that U.S. ports are falling behind more automated ports such as those in Rotterdam, Dubai and Singapore. Facing the Jan. 15 strike deadline, the two sides will have barely a week to reach an agreemen
Labor Automation Strike Ports Economy
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Longshoremen Threaten Strike Over Automation at US Ports45,000 US longshoremen represented by the International Longshoremen’s Association are threatening a strike over the use of automated cranes at East and Gulf coast ports. The union argues that the machines don't improve efficiency and threaten their jobs. Negotiations are ongoing between the ILA and the US Maritime Alliance, with automation being the main sticking point.
Read more »
US Longshoremen Threaten Strike Over Automation45,000 US longshoremen are threatening a strike that could shut down ports on the East and Gulf coasts, protesting against the use of semi-automated cranes and remote operation in container handling. The union argues that automation threatens their jobs and insists on maintaining traditional human-operated cranes. Port operators argue that automation is necessary for US ports to remain competitive with global counterparts.
Read more »
US dockworkers threaten to strike against automation, creating economic uncertaintyIf the standoff sounds familiar, it’s because the same dockworkers — members of the International Longshoremen’s Association — staged a three-day walkout last fall.
Read more »
Florida Hurricane Survivors Face Deadline for Aid; Dockworkers Threaten StrikeThis article discusses the impending deadline for FEMA assistance and SBA disaster loans for Florida hurricane survivors. It also covers the potential for a strike by 45,000 U.S. longshoremen, which could disrupt ports on the East and Gulf coasts and impact the American economy.
Read more »
Philadelphia Theatre Ushers Threaten Strike Over Contract DisputeThe International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local B29, representing approximately 100 ushers at prominent Philadelphia theaters, has voted to reject a contract proposal from Ensemble Arts.
Read more »
US Dockworkers Threaten Strike Over AutomationForty-five thousand US longshoremen are threatening to strike if their demands regarding automation at ports are not met. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) is concerned about the replacement of human workers with machines, arguing that it jeopardizes good-paying jobs.
Read more »