Eastcoast Dockworkers Win 62% Wage Boost, But Automation Battle Extends into Early 2025

[{"selector":"#anim-0b2cb0ef-a737-4f7c-ac46-67f80956a081","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-51ec2216-fd3a-4d79-bc8a-c73322159da4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c32c1be5-c787-4d4c-b00c-093f104d5c94","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4cba85b1-22e8-47f2-944e-4c6aab198c42","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-46af3b9b-ce3c-4f81-9679-c79066085807","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-61b8292f-f161-42dc-b3f9-08f0381349d7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 365.65558%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A tentative agreement between the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance led to 45,000 dockworkers calling a temporary stop to the three-day strike at the East and Gulf coast ports, with January 15, 2025 agreed upon as the deadline to negotiate a new contract. Photo Source: International Longshoremen's Association (Facebook)

[{"selector":"#anim-2d578649-b101-46fc-a22b-a0e05dee8eb6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1ef9c23b-cbf5-4d85-a839-f483dcd32114","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fe018759-9343-43b2-a468-8104c6660762","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8fa46967-6715-440c-8fbd-0ddd51a56494","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9795aea7-08f0-4adf-abb6-3a516c912d23","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 365.65558%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The temporary deal outlines an immediate $4 per hour raise, which would total the current top pay of the workers to $43/hour; with a cumulative 62% pay hike after taking into consideration the annual $4 raises over the six-year contract. Photo Source: International Longshoremen's Association (Facebook)

[{"selector":"#anim-ef9e2c79-7542-4bcb-b4a5-be1d0d2d8744","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d251775a-ced9-4c61-9832-47ed161bd13c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6fc9248e-8fa8-4d33-a196-67cafa09e31e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fb70e577-521e-4a17-828b-b632f3a3d375","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d0c5d94c-601f-47e3-9f2f-1374c1b015f3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2223107f-7665-4ef3-9b89-641728fe17f6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 365.65558%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The union had initially demanded a 77% pay raise but the current offer from the management is much more substantial than their previous offers of 22%, 40% and a little below 50%. Photo Source: International Longshoremen's Association (Facebook)

[{"selector":"#anim-c3198f80-c577-43d8-b8a3-ba5b08bc83b1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9db53031-5687-4f53-bca6-e38204c59be3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4861c489-9383-4a14-835d-ca0f39bba8cc","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-444f11f8-96cb-444b-9a6e-f631f88c31f1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-328934bf-c08d-441a-85a6-0bae5c91cbf3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 365.65558%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Apart from the pay increase, another major issue is the implementation of automated and semi-automated terminals, ILA President Harold Daggett took a vehement stand against this calling it a threat to American jobs. Photo Source: International Longshoremen's Association (Facebook)

[{"selector":"#anim-86e52a51-0d19-4bc1-9287-f9f38236792a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c6cf0553-cf0d-4cfa-b2d2-a73e97e30117","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-82b25d35-b0d2-4c1d-a779-a981c9651c1f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-af58656b-7fb1-4ce4-ae42-aa2e23b65328","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7ff30ad8-e669-447d-a50a-4fa519127447","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d7249485-89fe-457d-b50b-5214315a6ce7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 365.65558%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] In the case of port automation, America does not even rank in the top 10 for efficiency based on the World Bank's Container Port Performance Index 2023. Even Philadelphia, the highest-ranked U.S. port, ranks 50th internationally. Photo Source: International Longshoremen's Association (Facebook)

[{"selector":"#anim-8fb51ce5-5e67-461e-8e11-857f93f22623","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-74668116-c759-4b69-8344-3e5ddf0b2083","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ba565cf9-84c7-435f-9f08-a099877f84e0","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-068544af-93e5-4f18-831a-1c3989db0eb3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-680c8db5-a2c5-4db7-8139-f3a203478774","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 365.65558%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su played a crucial role in diplomatically helping the two involved parties negotiate with President Biden stating "We averted what might have become a major crisis for the country." Photo Source: International Longshoremen's Association (Facebook)

[{"selector":"#anim-96909f68-42d9-4eba-a9d0-dfd9f58768c9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-05437582-219b-4e80-a503-d8b0640ac428","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":1300,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-25274e09-0675-495b-a258-82fd1311ddf5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e7dd6629-f8a9-46ad-8562-21eb7dafe335","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e97b6f42-aa03-4b23-b502-6364f185c041","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4c080658-8cab-494a-a4c4-0be27bb5453f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 365.65558%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The nearly $1 million annual salary and lavish lifestyle of ILA President Harold Daggett has been a talk of the town as this information comes forward alongside the three-day strike of the dockworkers. Photo Source: International Longshoremen's Association (Facebook)

[{"selector":"#anim-561b8504-6bbd-415f-81c4-278c4918b272","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bbed891a-14e2-4025-88c9-d634eb433b82","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c162ddb-3fdb-4e1b-93d8-e79402235496","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a60c5ba1-4360-4b9d-9ed8-d2639306f39a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5b7d8889-71a7-4234-9154-fe050c8b3599","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 365.65558%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] With January 15, 2025 decided as the deadline for the two parties to resolve the issues and negotiate a new contract, this also leaves 103 to resolve the automation issue as well. Photo Source: International Longshoremen's Association (Facebook)

[{"selector":"#anim-302207b9-f232-41e5-ae37-dec475871458","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-df297917-e83b-44ed-a4e1-f1ef1fb6fad9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-81bee618-00df-4f1f-9051-bd9b9f85c9a6","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-af120d3b-b044-4f69-a2c4-7f18854a5200","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-673a6ce8-54cd-4448-907f-02b8bc8ec109","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.14196%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8ef0b3c3-2c51-47b4-ad8e-1edec69b1281","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-365e490d-0c46-4d63-b559-98e6059917f6","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] U.S. Labor Market Stuns with 254K Jobs Added, Unemployment Dips to 4.1%—What’s Next for the Economy? Learn more

Eastcoast Dockworkers Win 62% Wage Boost, But Automation Battle Extends into Early 2025

Sunita Somvanshi

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