The ILWU has expressed its support for the ILA in their contract negotiations.
Could a potential work stoppage by East Coast longshoremen extend to West Coast ports? This is a significant concern for shipping lines, terminal operators, and the nation while employers at U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports anxiously await a strike deadline of October 1 set by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA).
The current six-year ILA master contract, which encompasses dockworkers and other port employees from Maine to Houston, is set to expire on September 30, with no contract negotiations currently scheduled.
Key issues in dispute include wages, benefits, and automation concerns. Employers, represented by the United States Maritime Exchange (USMX), have stated they have made good-faith offers to the union, which advocates for 45,000 workers across thirty-six ports, though details remain undisclosed. The ILA has rejected these offers, framing the situation as a struggle for fair wages against “greedy” foreign corporations profiting at the expense of American labor.
In a show of solidarity, the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) has pledged its support for the ILA’s cause. The ILWU, which represents tens of thousands of dockworkers at West Coast ports, including the Port of Los Angeles-Long Beach—the busiest container gateway in the U.S.—has reinforced its commitment to fair labor practices. In an August 16 letter, ILWU International President Willie Adams stated, “As you continue negotiating and approach the expiration of your contract, the ILWU stands in solidarity with the ILA for a fair contract that respects dockworkers and protects our jurisdiction. From coast to coast, the ILWU and the ILA remain determined in our fight against automation. We will not accept a subpar deal that neglects our concerns about our workplace and the safety of our members.”
The ILWU ratified a new master contract with employers in August 2023. Ports operated by the ILA handle roughly half of the nation’s trade.
Adams’ letter has sparked speculation regarding the ILWU’s potential for a sympathy strike, especially in relation to vessels redirected from East and Gulf Coast ports. However, experts suggest a prolonged stoppage is unlikely. “Given that there is already a contract in place on the West Coast, a brief stoppage may occur, but the ILWU members lack the grounds to strike based on the ILA’s situation,” said Susan Kohn Ross, an attorney specializing in customs and trade at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP in Los Angeles. “If a strike were to happen, I would anticipate that the carriers would seek an injunction to compel the longshore workers to return to their jobs immediately.”
So far, there has been “surprisingly little” diversion of cargo to the West Coast, Ross noted, though that trend appears to be shifting. She also reminisced about the West Coast longshore strike in 2012, where unionized workers initially received considerable public support and were able to shut down ports. “Workers went on strike and garnered public backing—until the wage figures were disclosed,” Ross added.
