President Joe Biden and other government officials are pushing port companies to provide better offers to the 45,000 dockworkers currently on strike at East and Gulf Coast ports. The strike has led to the closure of 36 ports and is estimated to cost the economy $5 billion per day, according to JPMorgan analysts.
Biden's Call for Fair Contracts
In a statement on Tuesday, President Biden emphasized the need for ocean carrier companies to present "a strong and fair contract" that acknowledges the workers' contributions to the economy, especially during the pandemic. He also expressed concerns about potential price gouging by foreign ocean carriers and emphasized the importance of fair treatment for the striking workers.
Transportation Secretary's Warning
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg echoed Biden's sentiments and cautioned companies against profiteering from the strike. He urged companies to refrain from imposing surcharges that could unfairly impact consumers or businesses, particularly as regions of the country are still recovering from events like Hurricane Helene.
Labor Secretary's Encouragement
Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su has been actively engaging with dockworkers and port operators to encourage both parties to resume negotiations and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. Su highlighted the essential role played by port workers during the pandemic and in the aftermath of natural disasters like Hurricane Helene, stressing the need for their salaries to reflect the record profits being made by their employers.
Stalled Negotiations and Worker Demands
Prior to the strike, negotiations had shown little progress. While the US Maritime Alliance offered a 50% wage increase over six years, the International Longshoremen's Association demanded a 77% raise over the same period, despite briefly considering a lower percentage. This disparity in wage demands has led to the current standoff.
Despite pressure from various sectors to intervene using federal powers, President Biden has refrained from invoking the Taft-Hartley Act, opting to support the collective bargaining process. He has called on the USMX to engage in meaningful negotiations to secure a fair contract for the dockworkers.
As the situation unfolds, the White House, Department of Labor, and Department of Transportation have yet to comment on the ongoing developments outside of standard business hours.
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By: lwee@insider.com (Lian Kit Wee)
Title: President Biden Urges Port Companies to Offer Fair Deals to Striking Dockworkers
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/biden-julie-su-pete-buttigieg-port-strike-deal-dockworker-2024-10
Published Date: Wed, 02 Oct 2024 07:39:57 +0000
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