Queuing ships put pressure on owners to end US port strike
Tom Howard
Port owners in the US are under government pressure to end the biggest dockworkers strike in almost half a century, which has left dozens of container ships waiting outside big ports.
The walkout by thousands of members of the International Longshoremen's Association was due to enter its fourth day with a pay deal with the United States Maritime Alliance, the alliance of container carriers, port employees and associations, yet to be struck.
There are 54 ships waiting outside big ports on the east and gulf coasts,, data from Everstream Analytics shows, up from three on Sunday. Ports in Savannah, Georgia, New York and Norfolk, Virginia are among the worst hit.
It is the union's first significant stoppage since 1977 and has hit 36 ports. Businesses have warned that the industrial action could bring shortages of everything from bananas to car parts and clothing. Analysts at JP Morgan have estimated that the strike could cost the economy up to $5 billion a day.
The union's 45,000 members have walked out in a pay row. Employers have offered a 50 per cent wage increase for a new six-year agreement. The union wants a $5-per-hour increase in wages plus a guarantee of restrictions on the use of automation at ports which they say* threatens jobs.
The employers have signaled that they are open to new talks. "We cannot agree to preconditions to return to bargaining — but we remain committed to bargaining in good faith."
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