Trump Backs International Longshoremen's Union Against Port Automation Ahead of January 15 Strike

Dec 13, 2024, 01:15 AM

President-elect Donald Trump met with leaders of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), including President Harold Daggett and Executive Vice President Dennis Daggett, offering his support to the dockworkers union. The ILA, representing some 45,000 union dockworkers on the East and Gulf Coasts, may go on strike on January 15 over the use of semi-automated cranes at port terminals. This follows the union's shutdown of ports in October over the same issue. Trump opposed further automation of United States ports, stating on Truth, "I've studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it." He expressed concern that automation would harm workers. His stance is unusual for a Republican president-elect and has sparked debate over the balance between protecting jobs and embracing technological progress.