Members of the International Longshoremen’s Association went on strike at midnight after the union was unable to reach what it considered an acceptable deal with the United States Maritime Alliance.
Picketers were reportedly seen in Boston marching to Conley Terminal after both sides were unable to come to an agreement.
“Members of the International Longshoremen’s Association are marching to the Conley Terminal to hit the picket line after failed contract negotiations with the US Maritime Alliance,” NBC10 Boston’s Kirsten Glavin posted on X, along with video of some local members of International Longshoremen’s Association. “This will impact ports from ME to TX.”
Shortly before the midnight deadline, Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) posted about the strike on X.
“A strike by maritime workers will begin at midnight tonight — impacting ports all across the East and Gulf Coasts,” Murphy wrote. It included a video of what areas are affected due to the work stoppage.
The Teamsters also released a statement on X on the failure of the “United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) to present an acceptable contract offer to the International Longshoremen’s Association.”
“The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, including our members in the freight industry, stand in full solidarity with the International Longshoremen’s Association as they fight for a fair and just contract with the ocean carriers represented by USMX,” it said. “The ocean carriers are on strike against themselves after failing to negotiate a contract that recognizes the value of these workers.”
The work stoppage is due to the expiration of the previous six-year agreement between the U.S. Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen’s Association. There are more than 45,000 union members who work at 36 ports throughout the country between Maine and Texas, including some of the nation’s biggest and most important ports in New York and New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia, Houston, and New Orleans.
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The stalemate stems from disagreement in contractual terms and salaries. ILA leadership has claimed it wants fair wages for its members, and this includes a 77% increase in salary over the next six years, according to reports. The union is also pushing to restrict the U.S. Maritime Alliance from implementing technology that could replace its workers and calling for a ban on the automation of devices used to move shipping containers, such as cranes and other machines, the Washington Examiner reported.
“Our ILA brothers and sisters play a critical role in keeping the American economy running, and they deserve industry-leading wages and robust job protections for the vital work they perform,” the Teamsters said.
