Tens of thousands of dock and maritime workers could hit the picket lines on Oct. 1, the largest union of maritime workers in North America confirmed in a Sept. 30 statement.
The International Longeshoremen’s Association (ILA) posted on social media that many of the union’s members will strike at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 1, when the current collective-bargaining agreement expires.
Union officials say they plan to hit the picket lines at three dozen facilities spread across all Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports from Maine to Texas, which handle 49 percent of U.S. container volume.
“The ocean carriers represented by USMX [United States Maritime Alliance] want to enjoy rich billion-dollar profits that they are making in 2024, while they offer ILA longshore workers an unacceptable wage package that we reject,” the ILA said. “ILA longshore workers deserve to be compensated for the important work they do keeping American commerce moving and growing.”…