Topline
Dockworkers across all major ports along the East Coast began striking on Tuesday, in a move that could significantly impact the U.S. economy just weeks before the presidential elections.
The ILA strike will affect all major ports across the East and Gulf coasts.
Key Facts
The International Longshoremen’s Association’s (ILA) members began their walkout at midnight after failing to reach a deal with ocean carriers and port operators represented by the US Maritime Alliance (USMX).
The ILA is demanding a 77% wage increase over six years along with a ban on automation which it argues is hurting workers.
According to the Associated Press, some progress was reported between the workers and port operators, hours before the strike began.
In a statement, the USMX said it had improved its offer to include 50% raises over six years while retaining the currently agreed to limits on automation.
The ILA, however, has refused to meet with the port operators group until their wage demands are met, the Wall Street Journal reported.
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Big Number
45,000. That is the number of port workers the ILA represents across 14 major east coast ports impacted by the shutdown. The affected ports are Baltimore; Boston; Charleston, South Carolina; Jacksonville, Florida; Miami; Houston; Mobile; New Orleans; New York/New Jersey; Norfolk, Virginia; Philadelphia; Savannah, Georgia; Tampa, Florida; and Wilmington, Delaware.
