As a result of the strike, more than 38 container ships were backed up at U.S. ports, according to data from Everstream Analytics. This is a significant increase from the three boats on Sunday.
President Joe Biden is pressuring port employers to raise their offers to striking dockworkers. “It is time for these ocean liners to offer a strong, fair contract that reflects ILA workers’ contributions to our economy and their record profits,” he said in a post on X.
The Land Administration, which represents 45,000 dock workers, went on strike after midnight on Tuesday after talks with the US Maritime Union (USMX) collapsed. USMX has recommended a 50 percent wage increase, but the union is demanding more, including raising hourly wages and halting automation projects.
“We are prepared to fight as long as necessary, however long the strike may be, to achieve wages and protection against automation for our ILA members,” said Harold Daggett, president of the Israel Land Association.
A strike can have major economic consequences.
According to JP Morgan analysts It could cost the US economy about $5 billion a day. The National Retail Federation has called on the Biden administration to intervene, but the president has repeatedly said he will not do so.
Source: Reuters
The cover image is an illustration. Cover image source: Getty Images
