The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) contract expired at midnight and about 45,000 members of dockworkers began picketing early Tuesday over automation and wages.
The strike is affecting 36 ports from Maine to Texas and is the first by the union since 1977.
Boise Butler, ILA president, said workers want a fair contract that doesn’t allow automation of their jobs. He said the union has leverage over the companies and will strike for as long as is needed to get a fair deal.
Picketers had signs that read, “Robots don’t pay taxes,” “Automation hurts families,” and “Profit over people is unacceptable” to name a few.
The union is demanding a $5 an hour increase in pay each year for 6 years, which would take it to the next contract.
The strike is affecting the movement of billions of dollars of goods and if not settled could raise prices, which are already high and cause shortages of goods.
By - FZ
Comments