A second strike at US East and Gulf Coast ports was avoided as the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year contract. The deal, announced on 8 January, covers 45,000 dock workers and includes provisions on automation, which had been a major point of contention.
The potential for a strike had raised concerns about disruptions to supply chains and the US economy, particularly just before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
The ILA and USMX called the agreement a “win-win,” stating that it protects current jobs while setting a framework for implementing new technologies at ports, improving safety, and enhancing efficiency. Although the terms of the agreement were not disclosed, both parties have agreed to continue operating under the existing contract until the deal is ratified.
The negotiations, which had been extended until 15 January, focused heavily on automation, a key issue for both workers and employers.
A previous three-day strike in October had already led to shipping delays and price increases at 36 affected ports. Following that strike, employers agreed to a 62% wage increase for workers over the next six years. The affected ports, from Maine to Texas, include terminals operated by major shipping companies such as Maersk, COSCO Shipping, and MSC.
The National Retail Federation welcomed the agreement, emphasising that it would bring stability to ocean shipping and support long-term growth and modernization at key US ports, which handle more than half of the nation’s container imports.
