ILA’s Daggett Praises President Biden for Role in Port Strike

International Longshoremen’s Association President Harold Daggett praised President Joe Biden for his role in last week’s three-day Port strike in an open letter:

“We thank you for your powerful message that ‘the dockworkers from the ILA…deserve a strong contract after sacrificing so much to keep our ports open during the pandemic’ and not invoking the Taft-Hartley Act.

In particular, the ILA commends the invaluable help we received from Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. Her ability to keep the dialogue going between the two sides, while never backing down from championing the rights and demands of our ILA longshore workers, demonstrated clearly that you and your Administration support American workers can rightfully claim being among the most Pro-Union. Acting Secretary Su worked tirelessly to convince the Ocean Carriers to put a strong wage offer on the table.

I thank you for reaching out to me with your calls of support. We still have a lot to accomplish in Master Contract negotiations, but I am happy that our ILA longshore workers are back at work and for your Administration for helping to make that happen.”

Automation remains a key issue as the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) return to the negotiating table.

Following a three-day strike the week of Oct. 1, the union agreed to a tentative deal on wages to a 61.5% raise, and to extend their master contract until Jan. 15, 2025. The extension gives both parties additional time to return to the bargaining table to negotiate all other outstanding issues.

The union wants jurisdiction on what they consider “key tasks” at port facilities. For instance, operating cranes and servicing equipment should be done by ILA members and not outsourced to non-union members or automated systems.

Daggett said these issues are “on the line” because employers have tried to reduce healthcare benefits or claim a share of container royalty funds.

“We plan to meet with USMX as soon as possible to negotiate the best contract in ILA history,” Daggett said.