Port workers in the US have called off their strike after three days. The strike on the East Coast of the US and Gulf of Mexico that began on 1 October, 2024, disrupted supply chains and caused delays. The strike took place under the aegis of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) union, to demand better wages and a complete ban on automation.
The ILA had reportedly demanded a 77 per cent hike in wages, while the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) had mooted a 50 per cent hike. Now, it is reported that the longshore workers have arrived at an agreement. They have agreed to a wage hike of about 62 per cent spread over six years, which will push up the average wages from $39 per hour to around $63 per hour during the contract period. It has also been agreed that the master contract will be extended up to 15 January, 2025, so that all the other issues raised by workers can be discussed and dealt with.
This is probably for the first time in five decades that work at the ports has been stalled in such a manner with unloading of container ships impacted at about 36 ports from Maine to Texas.
The ILA has been seeking higher salaries for the workers and has been demanding that the ports refrain from resorting to the use of cranes or any other kind of automation when it comes to the loading and unloading of containers and freight.
