Union boss credits Trump for helping reach deal to avoid another port strike – Washington Examiner

Christopher TremoglieJanuary 9, 2025

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Teh International‌ Longshoremen’s Association⁢ (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance have ⁤reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year ⁣contract, effectively avoiding another port ⁣strike. ILA President Harold Daggett‍ credited⁤ President-elect Donald Trump‍ for ‍playing a critically important role in facilitating the deal.The agreement reflects negotiations aimed at maintaining stability and smooth operations in⁤ ports, highlighting the importance of cooperation between labor leaders ‍and‍ government figures in addressing industry challenges.

Union boss credits Trump for helping reach deal to avoid another port strike

The International Longshoremen’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance announced they tentatively came to terms on Wednesday with a new six-year contract. And, according to ILA President Harold Daggett, it would not have been possible without the assistance of President-elect Donald Trump.

“You have proven yourself to be one of the best friends of working men and women in the United States,” Daggett said of the 45th and 47th president.

The two sides were unable to reach an agreement when the previous deal expired on September 30, 2024. Members of the ILA then went on strike starting at midnight on October 1. The work stoppage lasted for three days before the two sides mutually agreed to halt the strike and extend the terms of the previous agreement until after the new year. The deadline to reach a new deal was set for January 15.

“We are pleased to announce that ILA and USMX have reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year ILA-USMX Master Contract, subject to ratification, thus averting any work stoppage on January 15, 2025,” read a statement released by both organizations. “This agreement protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernizing East and Gulf coasts ports – making them safer and more efficient, and creating the capacity they need to keep our supply chains strong.”

“This is a win-win agreement that creates ILA jobs, supports American consumers and businesses, and keeps the American economy the key hub of the global marketplace,” both sides noted.

A point of contention between the two sides was the increased role of automation and other technological implementations in job roles along the country’s docks. The ILA objected to a full conversion of automation, but the sides apparently reached a compromise in the new agreement, CNBC reported. The full terms of the tentative deal will not be released until USMX and ILA members can review and officially approve the agreement.

Daggett said Trump’s support was one of the main reasons both sides were able to come to an agreement.

“President Trump clearly demonstrated his unwavering support for our ILA union and longshore workers with his statement ‘heard round the world’ backing our position to protect American longshore jobs against the ravages of automated terminals,” Daggett said in a release. “President Trump’s bold stance helped prevent a second coast wide strike at ports from Maine to Texas that would have occurred on January 15, 2024, if a tentative agreement was not reached.”