Federal funding mandates ‘human-operated’ equipment
As shippers prepare for a potential port strike early next year, the largest East Coast longshore union is commending the recent allocation of federal environmental funding aimed at safeguarding dockside jobs from automation.
Earlier this week, the Environmental Protection Agency announced $3 billion in Clean Ports grants, with approximately half designated for “human-operated and human-maintained equipment.” This funding will help convert container handling equipment from diesel to electric power in some of the country’s largest maritime hubs.
The locations set to receive the most significant funding—$1.6 billion—include New York-New Jersey, Virginia, Baltimore, as well as Los Angeles and Oakland. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) asserts that these grants reflect the Biden administration’s commitment to organized labor.
“The push to ensure that new zero-emission equipment at U.S. ports is ‘human operated and human maintained’ is a major victory for the union and its members,” the ILA stated on its website.
This funding announcement comes just ahead of the resumption of contract negotiations in November between the ILA and port employers represented by the United States Maritime Exchange (USMX).
Earlier this month, a three-day strike by ILA workers halted container handling at numerous East and Gulf Coast ports. This work stoppage threatened essential imports such as pharmaceuticals, produce, and auto parts until White House officials facilitated an extension of the coastwide longshore contract through January 15, allowing negotiations to continue.
