Dockworkers return – Negotiations on automation are imminent

After a three-day strike by the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA), dockworkers on the East and Gulf Coasts are back on the job, but the issue of automation still needs to be resolved before the current contract expires in early 2025. Key terminals were opened on Sunday to resume container handling after the halt caused by 45,000 striking ILA members. During this time, dozens of ships had to wait at maritime gates from New England to Texas. Had the strike lasted a week, up to one million cargo units would have been stuck at the ports. On Thursday, the ILA suspended the strike after reaching a preliminary agreement with port owners represented by the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) on a 62% wage increase. Under the mediation of representatives from the Biden Administration, the parties also agreed to extend the current main contract until January 15 and to start negotiations on a new six-year contract. Discussions are focusing not only on benefits and container royalties but also on the union's demand that 14 container centers in 36 ports must not be automated. Harold Daggett, President of the ILA, emphasized to members that despite the wage increase, it is equally important to protect the traditional work area and prevent automation. The USMX stated that they agree with the ILA on issues of technology. Whether the ILA's rank-and-file will accept a new contract remains to be seen; in September, 33,000 Boeing employees refused to accept a preliminary agreement with the largest U.S. aerospace company.