Biden Administration Urges Negotiation to Avoid Port Strike

By David Shepardson and Lisa Baertlein

(Reuters) – The Biden administration is urging the union and employers to negotiate in good faith and quickly reach a new contract deal ahead of a potential Tuesday strike at ports on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts, a White House official stated on Friday.

The affected ports stretch from Maine to Texas and handle more than half of U.S. waterborne trade. A shutdown could cost the economy $5 billion daily, according to a JPMorgan analysis.

Talks between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), representing 45,000 port workers, and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) appear deadlocked over wage issues as the Sept. 30 deadline approaches.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, and top White House economic adviser Lael Brainard met with USMX on Friday to communicate the need for fair and prompt negotiations, having conveyed a similar message to the ILA earlier in the week.

On Thursday, USMX filed an unusual unfair labor practice complaint against the union, alleging that its leaders refuse to resume negotiations ahead of the anticipated strike.

Union leaders assert that members will walk off the job at all 36 ports covered under the contract, marking the first such strike since 1977, unless employers agree to significant wage increases.

Additionally, nearly 200 agricultural organizations urged the White House to address critical U.S. agricultural supply chain issues in light of the possible port strike.