GCCA Calls on Biden Administration to Support East Coast Port Labor Negotiations

On Tuesday, September 17th, GCCA joined 176 organizations in manufacturing, wholesale, retail, restaurant, importing and exporting, distribution, transportation and logistics, and other supply chain stakeholders in a letter that calls on the Biden administration to provide support to the ongoing negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Union (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX).

The ILA-USMX labor contract is set to expire on September 30, 2024, and covers all East and Gulf Coast maritime container ports. ILA leaders have expressed dissatisfaction with an offer of increased wages, employer retirement contributions, and higher starting salaries from USMX. ILA has also called on for royalties on containers, healthcare improvements, and a complete ban on automated and semi-automated equipment. USMX has stated willingness to continue current healthcare coverage and commit to not using fully automated terminals, but still wants to allow semi-automated equipment if both parties can agree on workforce protections and staffing levels. Approximately 300 union delegates have unanimously supported a strike if an agreement is not reached by October 1st.

GCCA is closely following the developments of these negotiations and urges the Biden Administration to bring both parties to the negotiation table to prevent a strike that would significantly affect the cold chain.