Ports along East, Gulf coasts shut down as strike begins

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Midnight was the deadline for the International Longshoreman’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance to agree on a new contract.

As the strike now begins, the state port in Wilmington is following its contingency plan, which in part states:

• No cargo will be delivered from the port
• The Port of Wilmington’s South Container Gate has closed
• Unless a vessel had prior approval, it will not be moored at the port
• Impacted carrier’s rail and intermodal cargo will not be worked on or off the rail at the port
• Export cargo may be received while the port’s gates are open
• The port’s North Gate will operate on a normal schedule during the week of Sept. 30 - Oct. 4

The work stoppage could ultimately have big impacts on workers and consumers everywhere.

“I think for the American people, it’s best they come to an agreement as soon as possible,” said Thomas Fellows, a workforce commentator.

Experts are now weighing in on the strike, noting the potential impacts it will have on the economy.

“A two to three-day strike will take two weeks to clear. A one-week strike will bring us into November, and then a two-week strike will bring us into early next year before those containers and ships will be processed,” said Danny Munch, an American Farm Bureau Federation Economist.

The port shutdown may affect consumers, too, especially ahead of the holiday season.

“Since this was an event that we knew could potentially happen, a lot of retailers were bringing in these holiday items ahead of time,” said Jason Miller, an assistant professor of supply chain management at Michigan State.

Given the devastation in the western part of North Carolina, a strike couldn’t happen at a worse time, as countless supplies and materials will be needed to help rebuild and recover.

As to why the union workers are striking, experts say workers want better pay. They are also fighting artificial intelligence and automation taking over their jobs.

“We will see job loss because of artificial intelligence, in terms of how this could affect Wilmington’s economy you’re looking at agricultural exports being affected, manufacturing imports, energy imports, consumer goods and so forth,” said Fellows.

On Monday, the Maritime Alliance posted a statement saying the two sides have traded counter offers, but WECT was told the ILA had not responded and that they still plan to strike.

WECT has reached out to the state port for an on-camera interview and the port has continuously declined.

On Tuesday, Brian Clark, executive director of North Carolina Ports, provided the following statement:

“The Master Contract between the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) has expired and there is a work stoppage at ports along the U.S. East and Gulf coasts. The Master Contract is an agreement between the ILA and the carriers and direct employers that make up the USMX. North Carolina Ports is not a party to the agreement and therefore is not a participant in the negotiations. North Carolina Ports is hopeful that both parties will return to the negotiating table and reach an agreement that allows all the ports of the East and Gulf Coast to resume operations.

North Carolina Ports is recognizing the work stoppage and has developed the following contingency plan. North Carolina Ports employees working in areas affected by the strike will be temporarily reassigned to other areas as needed.

The Port of Wilmington’s South (Container) Gate is closed for the pickup or delivery of cargo until an agreement is reached. No container vessel operations will be conducted until further notice. No intermodal rail cargo will be worked on or off of the rail at the Port of Wilmington. The Charlotte Inland Port is operating as normal. NC Ports extended its South (container) Gate hours over the weekend in an effort to help customers and port users prior to the work stoppage.

For general cargo operations, the Port of Wilmington’s North Gate and the Port of Morehead City will be operating on a normal schedule. Tenant operations and general cargo yard operations will continue as normal in both ports. No general cargo vessel operations will be conducted until further notice.”