Major U.S. Ports May Shut Down As 45,000 Workers Threaten To Walk Off For Higher Wages

45,000 port workers across 36 East and Gulf Coast ports may walk off the job soon, risking massive disruptions to U.S. trade.

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) is demanding better pay and commitments against port automation.

If an agreement isn’t reached, this could be the first strike since 1977, potentially costing the U.S. economy $5 billion a day.

Shipping analysts predict that just one day of strikes will create backlogs that could take up to six days to clear.

The ILA argues that automation, such as auto-gate systems at ports like Mobile, Alabama, is taking jobs away from union workers.

The union is pushing for salary hikes, healthcare improvements, and removal of automated systems from ports to protect jobs.

While port workers faced hardships during the pandemic, shipping companies saw record profits, fueling tensions during negotiations.

A looming port strike could disrupt shipping operations and shake the U.S. economy.