The union representing thousands of dockworkers across the United States has agreed to temporarily suspend its strike as negotiations progress.
Members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) walked off the job on Tuesday, impacting 14 major ports along the East and Gulf Coasts and halting container traffic from Maine to Texas.
The union has reached a tentative agreement regarding wages and plans to resume work on Friday. This suspension will remain in effect until January 15, when negotiations will continue to address “all other outstanding issues.”
This marked the first significant port shutdown in nearly half a century, raising concerns about disruptions during the busy holiday shopping season and the upcoming presidential election.
The impacted ports, including some of the busiest in the nation such as those in New York, Georgia, and Texas, handle over a third of U.S. imports and exports.
Businesses had been preparing for a potential prolonged shutdown, which posed risks to global trade and the economic stability of the U.S. Many consumers were also concerned, leading to stockpiling of essential goods like baby formula and toilet paper.
The President commended the tentative agreement, stating it represents vital progress toward a strong contract. He emphasized that dockworkers, who have worked diligently to keep ports operational during the pandemic, deserve fair compensation.
He also praised the efforts of port operators and carriers for presenting a strong offer. The President highlighted the importance of maintaining open ports to ensure the availability of essential supplies, especially in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which has had devastating impacts in the Southeast.
Under the previous contract, which expired on Monday, dockworkers earned base hourly wages ranging from $20 to $39, along with additional benefits tied to container traffic. The head of the ILA is advocating for an increase to hourly pay by $5 for each year of the new contract while also seeking protections against automation.
