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Remember the short-lived longshoremen strike that crippled ports on the East Coast and Gulf Coast in October?
Although the strike lasted only three days, it cost the American economy billions of dollars in lost revenue. The work stoppage has been temporarily resolved after the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) agreed to a 61.5% wage increase over the next six years. The ILA and the U.S. Maritime Alliance also raised other issues, the most important of which is port automation.
The negotiated contract extension expires on January 15, 2025, five days before President-elect Trump is sworn in for a second term.
Longshoremen union ends negotiations with Eastern and Gulf Coast employers
But there are major flaws that have been underreported by corporate media. The two countries halted all negotiations in mid-November, with the ILA leaving the negotiating table stating that “USMX has introduced language in the semi-permanent proposal.'' -Automated equipment to be used at ILA's ports, but the union completely rejected this, and ILA perceived this as another attempt by USMX to eliminate ILA jobs through automation, and terminated negotiations. Ta. ”
ILA Chairman Harold J. Daggett is adamant that no automation will enter the American ports under his control. Daggett opposes most uses of technology. He even opposes the use of EZ Passes on the nation's toll roads, saying that EZ Passes allow “cars to speed through as if nothing happened and then get a bill in the mail… All the union jobs at the toll plazas are gone,'' lamenting the loss of union jobs at toll plazas. He made the claim in a post on ILA's YouTube channel in September.
Perhaps Mr. Daggett should read a book. According to a recent study by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, U.S. ports are among the world's least efficient ports, and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are two of the world's least efficient ports. and to ports such as Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Pointe Noire in the Republic of Congo.
Yes, U.S. ports are less efficient than ports in third world countries. No American port came close to ranking among the top 10 most efficient ports in the world. The cause is lack of automation. In the United States, it takes 1 to 3 days to unload a container ship. By comparison, Japanese ports take 0.36 days to unload a ship of similar size.
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Mr. Daggett is focused on the wrong fight. Instead of fighting automation, we need to embrace it. Instead of walking away from the negotiating table to protect outdated union jobs, he should push to accelerate USMX automation while protecting jobs.
A simple position that supports automation but ensures that union members who lose their jobs to automation are employed by the USMX at the same pay and benefits will avoid strikes and support the transition of U.S. ports into the world. It will help. -Class moves us from the 19th century to the 21st century.
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Newly appointed Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy will have to tackle this challenge on the first day of the Trump administration. Secretary Duffy needs to demonstrate that he intends to remove the DOT's emphasis on promoting equity and efficiency in roads and bridges and restore America to its rightful place as the world's most developed nation.
The answer is not difficult. All you need is the courage to do it.
