Industry Collaboration Surrounding the 2024 Port Strike Extension

Following the Port Strike Extension in October 2024, TIA has been working with over 250 trade associations representing American manufacturers, farmers, agribusinesses, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, importers, exporters, distributors, transportation, and logistics providers, and other supply chain stakeholders to encourage contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) ahead of the January 15, 2025, contract expiration. Modernized ports are vital for U.S. competitiveness, with upgrades improving safety, efficiency, and cargo fluidity, ultimately benefiting both workers and businesses.

The industry welcomed the tentative six-year agreement reached, averting a strike that could have disrupted the economy. The deal, pending union approval, preserves union jobs while incorporating technologies to modernize East and Gulf Coast ports, enhancing safety and efficiency. The ILA credited President-elect Trump’s involvement, highlighting his opposition to automation as key to the agreement.

This agreement marks a significant political win for President-elect Donald Trump, contrasting with President Biden, who also praised the deal but faced criticism for limited involvement in earlier negotiations. The October 2024 port strike, resolved after three days with intervention from the Biden administration, resulted in a substantial 60% wage increase for dockworkers, but automation remained a contentious issue until now, as its partially addressed in the new agreement.