More than 45,000 dockworkers on the East and Gulf coasts of the United States have gone on strike
4 october 2024 в 18:37
Approximately 45,000 dockworkers have gone on strike at ports along the East and Gulf coasts of the United States, demanding higher wages and stronger protection against job automation.
Members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), representing the interests of dockworkers, went on strike on Tuesday for the first time in nearly 50 years, advocating for «the wages we deserve», - as stated by ILA President Harold Daggett in a social media post.
In a statement on Monday, the union accused the United States Maritime Alliance, representing the interests of ports and maritime carriers, of hindering the agreement to end the strike.
«Maritime carriers, represented by USMX, want to enjoy the billions in profits they will receive in 2024, offering ILA dockworkers an unacceptable wage package that we reject», - the statement read.
Prior to the strike, Johnny Dixon, president of the ILA branch in Fort Lauderdale, claimed that the union’s demands are justified due to rising consumer goods prices.
«Our members currently earn up to $ 39 per hour. We are aiming for an almost 77% increase over the next seven years. Given the current inflation, this is more than reasonable», - he said. The top hourly rate of $ 39 translates to just over $ 81,000 per year for those with at least six years of experience, but dockworkers can significantly increase their income by taking on additional shifts. According to the 2019−2020 annual report of the New York Port Authority, about a third of local longshoremen earn $ 200,000 or more per year.
Typically, a longshoreman’s salary can exceed $ 100,000, but this often requires a significant amount of overtime work. Daggett noted that these highly paid workers often work up to 100 hours per week.
The expired ILA contract stated that the starting wage for dockworkers was $ 20 per hour. This rate increases to $ 24.75 after two years, $ 31.90 after three years, and reaches $ 39 for workers with at least six years of experience.
In contrast, the ILA is demanding a 77% increase over the contract term, with a proposed increase of $ 5 per year. Under this plan, workers would earn $ 44 in the first year, $ 49 in the second year, and up to $ 69 in the final year.
Recently, the United States Maritime Alliance proposed a lower increase of nearly 50%, which the ILA rejected. «They may claim a significant increase, but conveniently forget that many of our members operate multimillion-dollar container handling equipment for just $ 20 per hour. In some states, the minimum wage is already $ 15», - ILA emphasized.
Daggett earned $ 728,694 in 2023, as well as an additional $ 173,040 as the emeritus president of the local mechanics' branch in Port Newark, New Jersey, according to documents filed with the Department of Labor. Daggett’s son, Dennis Daggett, currently heads the New Jersey local branch previously led by his father and holds the position of executive vice president of the ILA, bringing him a total income of over $ 700,000 in 2023.
The salaries negotiated by the West Coast dockworkers' union are a key factor in the current strike, as ILA dockworkers earn significantly less than their counterparts.
While 14 ports along the East and Gulf coasts are affected by the strike, ports on the West Coast remain unaffected because a different union represents the interests of those workers, who achieved a significant wage increase for their members in 2023
Members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), representing the interests of dockworkers, went on strike on Tuesday for the first time in nearly 50 years, advocating for «the wages we deserve», - as stated by ILA President Harold Daggett in a social media post.
In a statement on Monday, the union accused the United States Maritime Alliance, representing the interests of ports and maritime carriers, of hindering the agreement to end the strike.
«Maritime carriers, represented by USMX, want to enjoy the billions in profits they will receive in 2024, offering ILA dockworkers an unacceptable wage package that we reject», - the statement read.
Prior to the strike, Johnny Dixon, president of the ILA branch in Fort Lauderdale, claimed that the union’s demands are justified due to rising consumer goods prices.
«Our members currently earn up to $ 39 per hour. We are aiming for an almost 77% increase over the next seven years. Given the current inflation, this is more than reasonable», - he said. The top hourly rate of $ 39 translates to just over $ 81,000 per year for those with at least six years of experience, but dockworkers can significantly increase their income by taking on additional shifts. According to the 2019−2020 annual report of the New York Port Authority, about a third of local longshoremen earn $ 200,000 or more per year.
Typically, a longshoreman’s salary can exceed $ 100,000, but this often requires a significant amount of overtime work. Daggett noted that these highly paid workers often work up to 100 hours per week.
The expired ILA contract stated that the starting wage for dockworkers was $ 20 per hour. This rate increases to $ 24.75 after two years, $ 31.90 after three years, and reaches $ 39 for workers with at least six years of experience.
In contrast, the ILA is demanding a 77% increase over the contract term, with a proposed increase of $ 5 per year. Under this plan, workers would earn $ 44 in the first year, $ 49 in the second year, and up to $ 69 in the final year.
Recently, the United States Maritime Alliance proposed a lower increase of nearly 50%, which the ILA rejected. «They may claim a significant increase, but conveniently forget that many of our members operate multimillion-dollar container handling equipment for just $ 20 per hour. In some states, the minimum wage is already $ 15», - ILA emphasized.
Daggett earned $ 728,694 in 2023, as well as an additional $ 173,040 as the emeritus president of the local mechanics' branch in Port Newark, New Jersey, according to documents filed with the Department of Labor. Daggett’s son, Dennis Daggett, currently heads the New Jersey local branch previously led by his father and holds the position of executive vice president of the ILA, bringing him a total income of over $ 700,000 in 2023.
The salaries negotiated by the West Coast dockworkers' union are a key factor in the current strike, as ILA dockworkers earn significantly less than their counterparts.
While 14 ports along the East and Gulf coasts are affected by the strike, ports on the West Coast remain unaffected because a different union represents the interests of those workers, who achieved a significant wage increase for their members in 2023
© Artemenko Olga
