Picket lines form as port strike begins for thousands of dock workers in New York and New Jersey

Elizabeth, New Jersey A strike at the port led to more than 20,000 dock workers stopping work and on the picket line Along the eastern and Gulf coastsIncluding in the ports of New York and New Jersey.

Billions of dollars worth of goods arrive at ports Port Authority of New York and New Jersey He confirms that most operations have been stopped.

“Moments ago, the first large-scale Eastern dockworkers strike in 47 years began at ports from Maine to Texas, including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Preparing for this moment, New York has been working around the clock to… Just after midnight: “Ensure our grocery stores and medical facilities have the essential products they need.” “It is important that the USMX and ILA reach a fair agreement soon that respects workers and ensures trade flows through our ports.” In the meantime, we will continue our efforts to minimize disruption to New Yorkers.”

Hundreds of workers They took picket lines in Port ElizabethSimilar scenes occurred in Boston and Philadelphia The strike took effect at midnight.

“I hope people can get to the negotiating table sooner rather than later — and find new ground,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Tuesday afternoon.

Why did port workers strike?

This is the International Longshoremen’s Association First strike in nearly 50 yearsaffecting 14 ports from Massachusetts to Texas. Longshoremen are responsible for loading and unloading cargo, and the ports handle nearly half of the ships in the country.

Contract negotiations between the Land Administration and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents shipping companies and port terminals, broke down Monday.

The union representing dock workers is demanding a 77% wage increase over six years. It also opposes fully automated and semi-automated plants, which it says affect jobs.

The federation’s president spoke to reporters early Tuesday morning in New Jersey.

“I’m looking for $5 across the board for six years, and I’m going to fight for it, because these greedy companies are making billions of dollars and don’t want to participate. That’s why we’re here now fighting,” said Harold J. Daggett, president of the Israel Land Association and chief negotiator. Yes, a contract.” “No one knew who the longshoremen were. We didn’t get respect, but we will get respect now. Now we will when they find out that the malls are going to close because merchandise can’t get in, and the car salesmen are going to be laid off, guess what? “Everything that comes into this country comes from the containers on these ships.”

“We have where you can get a 30-year mortgage in this country for a first-time homebuyer, but what happens when my six-year contract is up, and you say, ‘I got automation taking your job’ – where does my mortgage go? I don’t have a job to pay the mortgage.” “Now, I have more people out of work, which makes the higher-ups in this country look like they’re not doing their job,” said foreman Wade Foster. “And when they do their job, these are the people who let us down.”

The American Maritime Alliance said it has offered the union a roughly 50% pay increase that “exceeds every other recent union settlement,” and a spokesman said there is language in the current contract that says there will be no fully automated stations. The group filed an unfair labor practice charge to bring the other side to the table.

President Joe Biden could intervene and call for an 80-day cooling-off period, but he has said he is doing so I do not want to interfere in union affairs.

What products will be affected?

Contract negotiations have been going on for months, and in anticipation, some cargo has been moved to West Coast ports, which have not been affected by the strikes.

Consumer goods such as clothing, shoes, accessories, furniture, cars and some groceries, such as fish, wine and fresh produce, could be the first to be affected.

Hochul said Monday the strike Doesn’t mean there will be a shortage For household goods, at least, not anytime soon.

“New York is fully prepared,” she said. “As we prepare for the worst — and that’s what we’re supposed to do in government, prepare for the worst — there’s also some reassuring news. We don’t expect shortages of essential goods anytime soon. So, for example, people don’t need to rush to the grocery store and stock up on goods.” , as they did during the pandemic.

The governor said that the medicines are not expected to be affected because most of them are transported by air. The country has stockpiled medical supplies and is ready to distribute them if necessary.

She also said heating oil, gas and diesel are not expected to be affected, and municipal waste operations will continue.

Experts say consumers may already be seeing shortages due to Hurricane Helen, and that an extended strike will significantly impact the availability of goods.

Every day that the strike continues in the New York-New Jersey area, economic losses are estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Alicia Reed contributed to this report.