Shipping and Logistics
Longshoremen Could Strike on East, Gulf Coasts Next October
Written by Ethan Bernard
November 9, 2023
The leader of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) warned that members on the East and Gulf Coasts could go on strike in October of next year when the union’s contract expires.
In a press release on Nov. 4, ILA President Harold Daggett said next year’s negotiations will be “challenging.”
He said that the union “will hold firm on its pledge not to extend the contract beyond its expiration date of Sept. 30, 2024.” He added that “members should prepare for the possibility of a coast-wide strike in October 2024.”
In a speech in July, Daggett noted that “the union will continue to fight automation at any of its ports,” and that he expects the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) “to deliver a landmark compensation package.”
The union represents 45,000 dockworkers on the East and Gulf Coasts, according to an article in FreightWaves.
A spokesman for the union said on Thursday, Nov. 9, that the ILA Great Lakes Ports are not part of the ILA – USMX Master Contract Negotiations. He had no further comment than what is available on ilaunion.org.
The potential for a strike is noteworthy for SMU readers as a significant quantity of steel passes through ports such as Houston, New Orleans, and Camden, N.J.
Ethan Bernard
Read more from Ethan BernardLatest in Shipping and Logistics
Reibus May logistics market update
Roughly halfway through Q2, flatbed rates are holding firm, currently showing no change from April to May and a slight increase quarter-over-quarter (q/q).
Reibus logistics update: Inflation makes a comeback
As we navigate through the first half of 2024, we are seeing early signs of an inflationary rate environment for flatbed shipping, albeit slightly later than anticipated. Excess supply has persisted longer than expected for both flatbed and dry van, resulting in rates remaining lower than for longer than anticipated.
SMU Community Chat: Posner talks state of global logistics
While shipping and supply chains have always been subject to wars, pirates, privateers, geopolitical issues, and natural disasters, it seems that “it’s been busier lately when it comes to dealing with significant supply chain disruptions,” according to logistics expert Anton Posner.
CRU: Baltimore bridge collapse affects more than half of US thermal coal exports
A container ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26, causing it to collapse. This has blocked sea lanes into and out of Baltimore port, which is the largest source of US seaborne thermal coal exports. The port usually exports 1–1.5 million metric tons (mt) of thermal coal per month. It is uncertain when sea shipping will be restored. But it could be several weeks or more. There are coal export terminals in Virginia, though diversion to these ports would raise costs.
USW reaches tentative pact with CN Rail
United Steelworkers (USW) union members in Canada have reached a tentative labor agreement with CN Rail.