Possible Strike Would Shut Down East Coast Ports

Longshoremen from Nova Scotia to Texas may go on strike when their current contract expires Sept. 30, the first such labor action to hit the entire East Coast since 1977, according to news reports.

The strike would effectively shut down cargo handling in some of the nation’s busiest seaports, including Port Newark. In all 14 ports, which handle 95 percent of the East Coast’s cargo traffic, would be affected, according to Global Trade Magazine.

At least one major source of friction between the United States Maritime Alliance, which represents shippers, and the International Longshoremen’s Association are work rules at the Port of New York and New Jersey, which includes Port Newark, the Post and Courier of South Carolina reported. The contract being negotiated covers 15,000 members from Canada to the Gulf Coast.

Contract talks in Florida broke down last week over work rules that require longshoremen be paid “for 24 hours of work even if they are only on the job for a few hours a day,” James Capo, chairman of the United States Maritime Alliance, told Global Trade Magazine.

But a union representative told NJ.com talks died when Capo abruptly declared that automation and  outsourcing -- which dockworkers fear could lead to lost union jobs -- were no longer considered under negotiation.

NJ.com also quoted another shippers’ representative who expressed hope that a strike could still be averted. But that representative, Joseph Curto, head of the New York Shipping Association, also said that shutting down the ports due to a strike may force companies to find permanent alternatives like trucks or rail.