Buttigieg urges “extremely profitable” ocean carriers to address port strike issues, according to the Washington Examiner
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has urged ocean carriers to resolve a strike affecting East and Gulf coast ports, claiming they are “extremely profitable.” The strike, which began after the International Longshoremen’s Association could not agree with the United States Maritime Alliance, is expected to disrupt the flow of goods into the U.S. and has implications for hurricane relief efforts following Hurricane Helene. Buttigieg emphasized the urgency of the situation on MSNBC, calling for a resolution to enable port workers to negotiate better wages. Although some preemptive measures were enacted to mitigate the strike’s effects, Buttigieg warned that prolonged disruptions could escalate the impact on supply chains and aid for storm victims. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has criticized the strike’s timing, stressing its detrimental effects on hurricane relief efforts.
Buttigieg says ‘extremely profitable’ ocean carriers should resolve port strike
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed hope that a deal can be reached to resolve the newly enacted strike involving East and Gulf coast ports, specifically calling on “extremely profitable” ocean carriers to end it.
The strike, which started Tuesday, began after the International Longshoremen’s Association was unable to reach a new deal with the United States Maritime Alliance and is expected to greatly affect the flow of certain goods into the U.S. Buttigieg explained that the strike needs to be resolved as soon as possible, as port workers are seeking increased wages in their new contract.
“This needs to get resolved,” Buttigieg said on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. “We’ve been in touch with the different parties, urging them to bridge their differences, in particular, urging these ocean carriers, which, again, have become extremely profitable in recent years, to put forward an offer that is enough to bring the union back to the table and get this hammered out.”
Buttigieg added that some precautions were taken ahead of the port strike, such as outlets and retailers prestocking items ahead of October or rerouting shipping to the West Coast. However, he forewarned that the longer the strike continues, the bigger its effects will be.
The strike, which began shortly after Hurricane Helene tore through the southeastern U.S., has also held up necessary supplies needed to help storm victims. Buttigieg said he spoke to the Transportation departments “with all of the affected states,” and the necessary relief would be turned around “in a matter of hours.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has harshly criticized the ILA’s port strike, specifically because it is “intentionally” preventing hurricane relief from reaching those who need it. The governor added that he would do anything to ensure these supplies continue arriving, as this is “a big concern.”
ILA President Harold Daggett has dismissed concerns that his union strike could hurt the U.S. economy, claiming people “never gave a s*** about us” until the strike started. Prior to the strike, Daggett threatened to “cripple” his opponents until a proper deal for his union members was reached.
Automobiles, toys, alcohol, and seafood are some of the many goods that could experience shortages and price bumps because of the strike.
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