The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a case brought by South Carolina’s ports authority, letting stand a lower court ruling that effectively requires the Port of Charleston to use an all-union labor force at a new container terminal. This conclusion ends a prolonged labor dispute, disappointing hopes in South Carolina and Georgia of bypassing the International Longshoremen’s Association while expanding cargo-handling operations.
The Ports Authority expressed disappointment and pledged to work with the union to address operational limitations at the terminal. The longshoremen’s union asserted that the court’s decision ensures that marine employers cannot evade contractual obligations. The case could have wider implications as port labor relations have remained complicated on both the East and West coasts.
