Latest News

Biden won't block possible strike at East Coast ports, administration official states

U.S. President Joe Biden does not mean to invoke a federal law to prevent a port strike on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico if dockworkers fail to protect a new labor contract by an Oct. 1 due date, an administration official stated on Tuesday.

The International Longshoremen's Association, negotiating on behalf of employees at three dozen U.S. ports from Maine to Texas that manage about half of the nation's seaborne imports, warned once again on Tuesday that its members are prepared to quit working in 2 weeks.

Their existing six-year arrangement with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which includes employers like Maersk's. APM Terminals and SSA Marine, ends on Sept. 30.

U.S. presidents can intervene in labor conflicts that. threaten nationwide security or safety by enforcing an 80-day. cooling-off duration under the federal Taft-Hartley Act, forcing. employees back on the task while settlements continue.

We have actually never conjured up Taft-Hartley to break a strike and are. ruling out doing so now, the Biden administration official. told Reuters.

We motivate all celebrations to remain at the bargaining table. and negotiate in excellent faith.

Talks in between the ILA and USMX have actually stalled over problems. varying from salaries and benefits to terminal automation.

Time is running out to get a new master contract arrangement. settled with USMX, ILA stated in a statement.

USMX on Friday stated it is prepared to return to the bargaining. table, warning that a strike would be costly and harmful to. both sides.

The National Retail Federation on Tuesday led a group of. 177 trade associations representing merchants like Walmart. , makers, farmers, automakers and truckers in. getting in touch with Biden to help reach a resolution.

Last summer, Biden dispatched Acting Labor Secretary. Julie Su to assist work out an important contract offer in between U.S. West Coast seaport companies and their union workers, following. labor disruptions at some hectic California port terminals.

Both sides had accepted keep talking after their July 1,. 2022, deadline because the COVID pandemic freight boom was jamming. up important supply chains and stoking inflation.

Their June 2023 offer protected a 32% pay increase for employees. and was anticipated to be a template for labor talks on the East. and Gulf coasts.

(source: Reuters)