The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) members returned to work Thursday after a three-day strike. The ILA agreed to suspend the strike until Jan. 15, 2025, while contract negotiations take place.
The union wants a significant pay increase and no more automation. The parties reached an agreement on wages, but the details have not been made public.
Workers at 36 ports have returned to work, calming fears of shortages and price increases.
“Our economy depends on positive and productive relationships between corporations and the workers they rely on to serve their customers,” said Alabama Port Authority CEO John Driscoll. “While there is still more work to be done, this is an encouraging step in the right direction as the USMX and the ILA work to finalize terms on a new contract.”
“As I’ve said, a strike isn’t good for anyone—from workers to consumers, our supply chain, and the economy as a whole,” he continued. “Getting the container terminals back to work is critical for all Americans, and the contract extension is significant progress toward a permanent resolution that we are very happy to see.”
Mobile’s port is the fastest-growing container terminal in the United States and is completing a widening and deepening process to accommodate larger container ships.
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