45,000 Dockworkers Strike Shuts Down East and Gulf Coast Ports for First Time Since 1977

Oct 1, 2024, 04:23 AM

A major strike involving approximately 45,000 dockworkers from the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) has commenced at ports along the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast. The strike, which began at midnight on Tuesday, affects 36 ports from Maine to Texas and is the first of its kind since 1977. The walkout follows the expiration of the current labor contract and is driven by disputes over wages and automation. The strike is expected to cause significant disruptions to the supply chain, potentially raising consumer prices and leading to shortages of goods, particularly ahead of the holiday shopping season. The economic impact is estimated to cost the U.S. economy up to $5 billion a day, with no talks currently scheduled to resolve the stoppage.