A gloomy day at ports across the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico looms as union workers are gearing up for a major strike. However, Mississippi’s ports are not expecting a major hindrance to its operations.
Last week, the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) filed an unfair labor practice charge against the National Labor Relations Board in an attempt to force the union representing dock workers, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), to come to the table so both sides could negotiate. With neither able to reach an immediate agreement as workers look for higher wages, this marks the first scare of a widespread port worker strike since 1977.
While the impending strike is expected to result in tens of thousands of workers stepping away from employment obligations until demands are met or another solution is found, not all ports fear business will be stymied. The Port of Pascagoula issued a statement on Monday, assuring partners and stakeholders that operations will continue as normal with non-union workers on staff.
“As the impending port strike on the East Coast & Gulf of Mexico develops, we want to reassure our partners and stakeholders that Port Pascagoula remains well-positioned to continue business as usual,” Port Director Bo Ethridge stated.
“Due to our unique operational structure, which utilizes both union and non-union labor, we anticipate minimal to no impact on our day-to-day activities,” Ethridge continued. “We remain fully committed to providing uninterrupted service to all our customers and ensuring the smooth flow of commerce through our port.”
The Pascagoula port located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast mainly hauls in project cargo, forest and paper products, petroleum products, petroleum coke, fertilizer, machinery, lumber, and rolling stock.
As for the Port of Gulfport, which generates an annual economic impact of $3.8 billion to the region, operations will continue to run as normal as Mississippi’s port authority does not have any involvement in the negotiation process between ILA and USMX.
“The Mississippi State Port Authority (MSPA) has great respect for all the men and women that work at the Port of Gulfport. The MSPA is not a party to the negotiations between the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) and the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) that could lead to a work stoppage on October 1,” a statement from the Port of Gulfport reads.
” The Port Authority remains hopeful that the USMX and ILA will come to a mutually beneficial agreement to alleviate a negative economic impact.”
On a broader scale, things came to a head with ILA demanding a 77% pay increase for its workers over the next six years paired with heavy restrictions on automation. With port workers on the West Coast said to be making around $15 per hour more than most dock workers on the East and Gulf Coasts, union representatives find it necessary for compensation to be upped for those nearing a strike.
Additionally, the union is attempting to taper fears that rapid advancements in technology could impact the labor field. Workers are demanding strict regulations and even bans on the automation of devices used to load and unload cargo, such as automated cranes.
USMX is reported to have countered ILA’s demands by offering a 40% bump in pay for union workers – an offer that was said to have been scoffed at by union workers. Now, the first massive strike in nearly 50 years is almost certainly on its way as a new labor agreement is unlikely to take place before Tuesday’s deadline.
“USMX has been clear that we value the work of the ILA and have great respect for its members. We have a shared history of working together and are committed to bargaining,” a statement from USMX reads. “Due to the ILA’s repeated refusal to come to the table and bargain on a new Master Contract, USMX filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Relations Board and requested immediate injunctive relief – requiring the Union to resume bargaining – so that we can negotiate a deal.”
The strike, if it comes to fruition, will have an immediate impact on both the economy and the ability of consumers to purchase certain goods – though some retailers, such as Costco, have stocked additional goods in preparation for a delay in shipments. Consumers could see the impacts of the strike at local grocery stores as East and Gulf Coast ports bring in the bulk of the nation’s fresh fruit and coffee on top of other major goods.
As of Monday afternoon, President Joe Biden’s administration does not plan to intervene in the labor agreement disputes. Biden’s team has urged both parties to resolve the matter through collective bargaining.
