Dockworkers Strike Suspended Until January

Source: Joe Raedle / Getty

Dockworkers at ports across the eastern U.S. will be returning to work – for now, at least.

The International Longshoremen’s Association has agreed to suspend its strike until Jan. 15th to allow for time to negotiate a new contract, the ILA and USMX said in joint statement Thursday evening announcing the agreement.

The statement added, “all current job actions will cease and all work covered by the Master Contract will resume.”

Over 45,000 workers went on strike earlier this week that shut down 14 ports along the East and Gulf Coasts, seeking higher wages and protection from having their jobs replaced with automated labor.

A prolonged strike could have had a major impact on retailers, holding up nearly half of all good shipped into the U.S.

In a statement released Thursday night, President Joe Biden applauded the two sides “for coming together to reopen the East Coast and Gulf ports.”

“Today’s tentative agreement on a record wage and an extension of the collective bargaining process represents critical progress towards a strong contract. I congratulate the dockworkers from the ILA, who deserve a strong contract after sacrificing so much to keep our ports open during the pandemic,” Mr. Biden said. “And I applaud the port operators and carriers who are members of the US Maritime Alliance for working hard and putting a strong offer on the table.”

Source: AP, CBS