Port strike threatens: 45,000 people could leave the ports on the East and Gulf Coasts at midnight

WASHINGTON – At midnight, 45,000 longshoremen could walk off their jobs and go on picket lines as the International Longshoremen's Association goes on strike. The move threatens to close ports along the East Coast and Gulf Coast.

The economic impact could be significant – we're talking about $2 billion worth of trade passing through these ports every day. This includes goods you buy, sell, drive and eat. If dock workers go on strike, all trade through those ports will virtually stop.

Negotiations between port owners and dock workers failed to reach an agreement, potentially leading to the closure of 36 ports. A port strike could disrupt supply chains, impacting household goods, grocery deliveries and more. Neil Bradley, vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, told FOX 5 that a strike could lead to higher prices and delays for businesses and consumers.

“Think of it this way: You're a small business preparing for holiday sales and hoping for those sales, but the products you want to sell are stuck in a container somewhere and you can't get them,” he said Bradley. “That’s the kind of economic impact we’re talking about.”

What to Expect During a Port Strike: READ MORE

The Longshoremen's Association is pushing for a 77% pay rise and wants to stop port owners from automating their operations. Many union members see automation as a threat to their jobs and view it as a cost-cutting move that could reduce the workforce needed to operate the ports.

There have been calls for President Joe Biden to use his presidential powers to keep ports open while negotiations continue. However, despite the potential impact on the economy, the president refused to intervene.

“It’s collective bargaining, and I don’t get involved in collective bargaining,” Biden said.

In addition to the wage increases, the Longshoremen's Association is trying to stop port automation, which it says is a direct threat to their jobs and a way for port owners to cut costs by cutting staff.