International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ Post

Strikes like these remind us of the delicate relationship between labor, business, and global markets. The role of dockworkers and their unions is pivotal in ensuring fair practices, yet it also raises questions on how to best manage such disruptions. #LaborRights #SupplyChainManagement https://lnkd.in/ekfNWpAj

It Begins: US Port Strikes Erupt, First Shutdown In 50 Years Sparks Fears Of Supply Chain Crisis More than 45,000 International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) members from over three dozen facilities across 14 Gulf and East Coast ports went on strike early Tuesday, marking the largest labor action at US ports in nearly 50 years. The labor action, driven by disputes over automation and wages in a new multi-year labor contract, threatens to disrupt supply chains nationwide. If the strike persists for more than a week, retailers could face shortages of certain goods, potentially sparking another wave of inflation ILA's strike hit 36 ports across the Gulf and up and down the East Coast—this is the union's first labor action since 1977. Workers walked off the job at the Port of Philadelphia a few short minutes after midnight when ILA and the US Maritime Alliance (USMX)—a coalition of port operators and carriers—failed to agree on a new labor contract offer that would have boosted wages by 50% over six years and pledged to place limitations on port automation. The union has demanded a 77% pay bump On Tuesday, ILA said USMX's latest offer was rejected because it "fell far short of what ILA rank-and-file members are demanding in wages and protections against automation." Both sides have been locked in talks since June "We are prepared to fight as long as necessary, to stay out on strike for whatever period of time it takes, to get the wages and protections against automation our ILA members deserve," union boss Harold Daggett said in a statement, quoted by AP News, adding, "They must now meet our demands for this strike to end" Supply chain management company Flexport founder and CEO Ryan Petersen noted on X that the Teamsters Union released a statement in solidarity with ILA, informing the Biden administration to "stay the f**k out of this fight" #centralbanking #banking #debt #usa #china #defense #defence #future #innovation #economics #ceo #cfo #cio #supplychain #procurement #sourcing #electronicsindustry #ai #technology #india #japan #korea #australia #uk #nato #strategy #whatinspiresme #management #creativity #venturecapitaps #motivation #construction #economy #sales #business #law #growth #security #blockchain #energy #cloud #entrepreneurship #branding #ev #chips #defenseindustry #defenceindustry #manufacturing #whatinspiresme #trade #autoindustry #mexico #canada #trucking #northamerica #Trump #nafta #usmca #maga #g7 #eu #euro #beltandroad #india #brics #shipping #commodities #banking #investing #oil #oilandgas #aukus #navy #germany #demographics #futurism #nvidia #chips #defenseindustry #defenceindustry #oil #oilandgas #energy #power #opec #saudiarabia #gold #centralbanking #treasury #southafrica #germany #italy #france #japan #switzerland #netherlands #turkiye #technology #innovation #future #development #growth #geopolitics #navy #airforce #army #marinecorps #russia #history #mises #Quantum #port #longshore #union #strike

U.S. Ports Try Last-Ditch Effort to Force Dockworkers’ Union to Bargaining Table Shipping employers are appealing to federal regulators ahead of threatened dockworker strike next week at gateways from Maine to Texas The Wall Street Journal Paul Berger Port operators and shipping lines are trying to force unionized dockworkers to the bargaining table days before a threatened strike that would shut down more than half the seaports in the U.S. The group representing port employers filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the National Labor Relations Board late Wednesday and asked the regulator to order the International Longshoremen’s Association to begin negotiations on a new contract covering ports from Maine to Texas before the existing agreement expires Sept. 30. The two sides haven’t started formal bargaining despite the ILA’s threat that some 45,000 workers will walk off their jobs without a new contract. A person familiar with the matter previously told The Wall Street Journal that the union has said it won’t negotiate until the employer group agrees to a 77% increase in wages over six years. The ILA called the complaint filed by the United States Maritime Alliance, the employers’ group, a “publicity stunt.” #ports #longshoremen #strike #unions #maritime #oceanfreight #shipping #supplychain #labor #transportation

While union strikes have made headlines, the most impact could be the one affecting the Port of New York/New Jersey, the largest port on U.S. East Coast. A work stoppage would affect nearly half of all monthly U.S. imports, and potentially damage an already precarious holiday shopping season due to economic uncertainty. Wages and technology are the issues at hand. Like other industries and areas of the economy, concerns over automation and the replacement of human workers is growing. Determined to thwart the automating of their jobs, about 45,000 dockworkers along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts are threatening to strike on October 1, a move that would shut down ports that handle about half the nation's cargo from ships. The International Longshoremen's Union is demanding significantly higher wages and a total ban on the automation of cranes, gates and container movements that are used in the loading or loading of freight at 36 U.S. ports. It may sound like hyperbole, but the economy is at risk. How much? Already, retail and manufacturing are in jeopardy so much so that U.S. importers are rushing in millions of dollars’ worth of electronics, holiday goods and industrial materials. And they're also looking at other transportation options that bypass East Coast ports. For consumers, a short strike may not impact the availability of items on store shelves given retailers have already stocked up. The issue becomes more detrimental for a longer strike which would result in major shortages of items at retailers with a significant ripple effect around seasonal hiring. All of this raises bigger issues that go beyond port workers. Automation is a huge focal point especially with industries facing significant layoffs due to AI. Hollywood writers went on strike earlier in the year due to concerns they would be replaced through the use of technology to develop scripts and films. That port workers are raising the same concerns is no coincidence. The tech industry has already jettisoned thousands of workers over the past 18 months in favor of AI, and other industries are planning to the same. A strike of any duration on the East Coast will have consequences. While companies may divert imports to other ports or other modes of transportation, they won't be able to handle it all. Until there's a resolution around the use of technology and impact on human workers, it's going to be rough seas for many https://cnb.cx/3XtDzGl #union #supplychain #imports #trade #port #unitedstates #workers #retail #manufacturing #automation #cargo #artificialintelligence #technology #holidays

#GoodDayatSea   #dandcrewing #crewing #crew #maritime #seafarers #shipping #maritimetransport Biden Won’t Block Potential Strike at U.S. Ports, Administration Says President Joe Biden does not intend to invoke a federal law to prevent a port strike on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico if dockworkers fail to secure a new labor contract by an Oct. 1 deadline, an administration official said on Tuesday.  The International Longshoremen’s Association, negotiating on behalf of workers at three dozen U.S. ports from Maine to Texas that handle about half of the nation’s seaborne imports, has warned that its members are prepared to stop work if they do not have a contract by then. Their current six-year agreement with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which includes employers like Maersk’s APM Terminals and SSA Marine, expires on Sept. 30. U.S. presidents can intervene in labor disputes that threaten national security or safety by imposing an 80-day cooling-off period under the federal Taft-Hartley Act, forcing workers back on the job while negotiations continue. “We’ve never invoked Taft-Hartley to break a strike and are not considering doing so now,” the Biden administration official told Reuters. “We encourage all parties to remain at the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith.”  Talks between the ILA and USMX have stalled over issues ranging from wages and benefits to terminal automation. “Time is running out to get a new master contract agreement settled with USMX,” ILA said in a statement. USMX on Friday said it is ready to return to the bargaining table, warning that a strike would be costly and “detrimental to both sides.” The National Retail Federation on Tuesday led a group of 177 trade associations representing retailers like Walmart, manufacturers, farmers, auto makers and truckers in calling on Biden to help reach a resolution. Last summer, Biden dispatched Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su to help negotiate a crucial contract deal between U.S. West Coast seaport employers and their union workers, following labor disruptions at some busy California port terminals.  Both sides had agreed to keep talking after their July 1, 2022, deadline because the COVID pandemic cargo boom was jamming up critical supply chains and stoking inflation.  Their June 2023 deal secured a 32% pay increase for workers and was expected to be a template for labor talks on the East and Gulf coasts.

Why are labor unions having a moment? Join SIS professor Stephen Silvia and me to discuss the UAW, Starbucks, Amazon, Tesla, and why workers are bringing a 19th/20th century solution to 21st century challenges--and succeeding.

Why dockworkers should be considering a union leadership review Hanoi, Vietnam: In the latest Dereliction Of Duty At the Docks episode, the floor is open to rank-and-file questions for longshore union leaders in Canada and the United States. Let’s start local with #ILWU Local 514. With its bargaining committee having failed to reach agreement on a new contract with the #BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) after close to 20 months and that bargaining committee having lost a third #Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) bad-faith bargaining decision, does Local 514 need an administrative changing of the guard?  Isn’t three strikes and you’re out a rule in most meaningful competitions? Readers of The SubStack Shipping News will recall that earlier this year, Local 514 was on the wrong side of CIRB decisions on two BCMEA complaints (https://bit.ly/3Zp0OUq). In those innings, CIRB ruled that the union had engaged in an unlawful strike in July 2023. The Federal Court of Appeal later rejected Local 514’s appeal of the CIRB decision. The ILWU local has also run afoul of bad faith bargaining decisions involving demands to control automation and manning decisions at DP World’s container terminals in Vancouver and Nanaimo. In Local 514’s latest swing and miss, the CIRB ruled that the ILWU local had bargained in bad faith by presenting DP World with a minimum manning proposal at DP World 13 months into the current protracted bargaining process. Meanwhile in the United States, the #International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) is poised to disrupt shipping along the country’s East and Gulf coasts in January. It would be another potentially destructive job action similar to or worse than the ILA’s three-day strike in October that cost the U.S. economy an estimated US$3.8 billion. This even though the ILA secured a 62% wage increase for its membership to halt the strike and extend its contract with the United States Maritime Alliance until January 15. Automation opposition is the grenade set to be rolled under the bargaining table in January. The ILA executive, led by the father and son team of President Harold Daggett and Executive Vice-President Dennis Daggett, are opposed to automation of any kind at American ports. This is bluster aimed at today’s veteran waterfront workforce.  The overriding question here for the executives of both unions is this: When you claim to be opposing automation initiatives  to protect jobs for dockworkers toiling on today’s waterfront, do you mean just those workers who already have union contract voting rights and jobs guaranteed for life? That appears to be the case, because unilaterally opposing automation today will limit the opportunities of dockworkers tomorrow to pursue safer and more highly skilled waterfront careers. That opposition will also erode cargo terminal competitiveness and expansion potential. None of which sounds good for the future careers of North America dockworkers…. https://bit.ly/4feMS42

Both the ILA and USMX share responsibility for the current labor standoff, which has been brewing since June 2024 when the ILA halted negotiations over the use of a semi-automated gate system at APM Terminals in Mobile—technology that’s been operational since 2008. The ILA cites this as a threat to jobs, but the timing raises questions, especially since it’s only semi-automated and still requires manual checks. Meanwhile, the USMX seems equally comfortable allowing a strike to take place, potentially giving them a reason to raise ocean freight prices and tack on surcharges. With the strike set to start at 12:01 AM on October 1, 2024, the impact will be felt immediately. Our clients should expect delays, increased freight costs, and surcharges as the ports come to a standstill. Unfortunately, there’s little that can be done now, unless there is a major breakthrough in the next 24 hours, to prevent these disruptions, and we’ll soon see these effects ripple through to businesses and consumers alike, leading to higher costs and potential shortages. At Advanced Logistics, we’ve been working tirelessly with our carriers to get every last container out of the ports before the shutdown. Over the weekend, our drivers and the AL team put in overtime to ensure nothing was left behind. We coordinated closely with our partners, taking full advantage of the remaining time to minimize delays for our clients. While challenges lie ahead, we did everything possible to keep goods moving. We’re incredibly proud of the dedication and hard work from our team and the carriers we work with during this critical time and will continue finding ways to support our clients through the disruptions. While we fully support unions and their right to collective bargaining, especially in industries where workers' rights and protections are paramount, it’s equally important that unions do not hold the power to bring the American economy to a halt. There must be a delicate balance between supporting workers and ensuring that the flow of goods that keeps this country running remains intact. We continue to call on the federal government to intervene and help mediate this situation to avoid the devastating economic impacts a prolonged strike could have on our clients, businesses, and the American public. This isn't about taking sides; it's about finding a resolution that serves everyone, without shutting down the economy in the process. #portautomation #logistics #freightcosts #teamwork #supplychaindisruptions #collectivebargaining #economy #freightbrokerage #tradestrike #shippingindustry #economicimpact #labordispute #transportationlogistics #portoperations #supplychaintalk #businesscontinuity #tradesolutions #governmentintervention #unionnegotiations #portstrike #globaltrade #uslogistics #customerfirst #teamworkmatters #economicbalance #ILA #USMX #drayage

Ran across a really quite good paper recently that suggests that unions may increase productivity at a slight cost to profit. What I haven't seen in the 40 years worth of academic research that I've read is any serious evidence that unions damage a business's ability to survive and thrive. As a result, union busting attempts that do damage profits, either by delaying products or closing entire lines of business should be considered with extreme skepticism. It is likely best, from the coldest standpoint, to view unions simply as a thing that happens and to keep getting on with the deadly hard business of running a company.

“Back to life, back to reality, Back to the here and now, yeah…” 1525 words 6 minute read - Let’s do this! We are back to reality folks - Fall is on its way, school, football, and cooler weather. With holiday shipping season also upon us, it is important to pay close attention to the industry news, especially as it pertains to the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) union contract set to expire on the 30th of this month. Follow the Port X Logistics LLC LinkedIn page for up to date news and solutions for your supply chain and email Marketing@portxlogistics.com to sign up for this weekly Market Update Newsletter for updates on this new and future industry related news. The International Longshoremen's Association union (ILA) began two days of meetings on Wednesday to review wage demands and prepare for a potential strike on October 1st. Formal talks have reached an impasse as the union and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) employer group wrangle over pay, terminal automation, healthcare coverage and retirement benefits. The ILA has asked for a 77% pay bump over the life of the new contract. The final increase would likely improve on the 32% rise the West Coast International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) negotiated last year. ILA International President Harold Daggett has warned that workers will strike if a new labor agreement is not reached before the current six-year contract expires on September 30th. The USMX said in previous statements it has been trying to set a meeting with the ILA to resume talks. The National Retail Federation (NRF) urged the two sides on Tuesday to return to the bargaining table, following similar calls by the Retail Industry Leaders Association and the American Apparel & Footwear Association. “A strike or other disruption would significantly impact retailers, consumers and the economy. The administration needs to offer any and all support to get the parties back to the table to negotiate a new contract,” NRF CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement. Any work slowdown or stoppage would affect key Eastern and Gulf ports backing up goods ahead of the holiday season and U.S. presidential elections. In preparation for China’s upcoming Golden Week holiday which falls on October 1st – October 7th, ocean carriers are implementing blank sailing plans that will impact Weeks 38 through 41 to adjust capacity on the Trans Pacific East Eastbound route.This may lead to changes in sailing schedules or transit times, particularly for transshipment connections, as blank sailings could result in rollovers to the next available schedule. During Golden Week, many businesses and government offices are closed, which can lead to delays or stoppages in domestic and international shipping. Read more on our blog https://loom.ly/uirDWFg #Newsletter #LogisticsBlog #SupplyChain #Trucking #MarketUpdate