No word on negotiations as longshoremen strike for 2nd day at New Jersey ports
Union leadership says the shipping terminals will be shut down until they decide to sign a new contract.
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It is the second day of a longshoremen strike that is impacting the ports in New York and New Jersey. To this point, there has not been any talk of negotiations restarting concerning a new six-year contract for the workers.
Union leadership says the shipping terminals will be shut down until they decide to sign a new contract and get back to work. In the meantime, some of the 45,000 workers are camped out and waiting it out at the entrance to the port terminals.
The longshoremen want a six-year contract with guarantees of no further automation of machines that help operate the removal of containers from ships. They also want a boost in pay over the $55 an hour made by their West Coast counterparts.
"The [International Longshoremen’s Association] seeks more than a $5 yearly wage increase. Our members don’t work typical 9-to-5 jobs; they work extraordinary hours, sacrificing time with their families,” a union spokesperson wrote in a statement.
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On Wednesday at 11 a.m., a convoy of truck drivers who earn their living picking up containers at these terminals drove by striking workers with horns blaring in a sign of solidarity. It was a significant gesture considering the truckers are also out of work.
Retailers like Walmart and Target knew about and prepared for this strike by stocking inventory. That’s why labor analysts say it’s not necessary to hoard supplies.
However, items like bananas from Ecuador, pineapples from Costa Rica and wine from Europe could eventually be in demand if the strike lingers.
Not everyone watching is sympathetic to the ILA demands surrounding pay and automation.
“I don’t think you can guarantee no automation. This is 2024, isn’t it?” Ira Markowiz, of South Amboy, told News 12.
Many think the government's involvement will end this strike sooner rather than later. Others would like to see an agreement before any shortages occur.
“I’m hoping it’ll be settled soon. But what can you do?” said Kevin Deloatch, of Metuchen.
The last offer from the U.S. Maritime Alliance made public was a 50% pay raise made hours before the strike deadline. The union turned that down.
The last time the longshoremen went on strike was in 1977.
