The tens of thousands of longshore workers at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports suspended their brief, two-day strike on October 3 after winning a 62% pay hike over six years. A major factor in the decision to call off the strike was the significant increase in wages. However, discussions on issues like automation are still ongoing as negotiations resume between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX).

At one minute past midnight on October 1, the dockworkers staged the first ILA strike since 1977, causing a shutdown at 14 ports spanning from Maine to Texas. These ports collectively manage over 50% of the nation’s containerized cargo. The major concerns revolve around pay, which has since been addressed, and the port owners’ drive for automation.

Members of the Virginia District CPUSA visited the Virginia International Gateway in Portsmouth, Virginia that day; and the workers of ILA Locals 1248 and 1624 were out in force, demanding fair wages, an end to the automation of ports, and respect. The rain that Tuesday morning did not dampen their spirits, as workers proudly marched the picket line beaming with working-class pride. While misinformation and fear campaigns have quickly swept across the country, the workers were steadfast in their demand for fair treatment and recognition.

When asked what terms are wanted regarding automation, an ILA worker in Virginia stated the importance of clear definitions of automation and semi-automation. “We don’t want any gray area when it comes to automation,” the worker told our comrade. The fear is that ambiguities in the on-going negotiation may enable the company to exploit loopholes, further cheating the workers to make even more excess profits.

The workers at the Virginia International Gateway emphasized that they were prepared to do whatever it takes for their demands to be met. Workers in Portsmouth, as well as their counterparts in Norfolk and Newport News, were on the picket line around the clock.

A local ILA union leader stated that they were prepared with resources, and received support from other local unions and organizations, such as the International Bureau of Electrical Workers, Tidewater Workers Assembly, as well as a local teachers’ union.

In New York, our party comrades supported the strike at Port Liberty on Staten Island with our friends in the Amazon Labor Union-International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1.

“Our brothers and sisters in the ILA are demonstrating the power that working-class people have to cripple the corporations that exploit us, and we’re proud to stand with them,” the ALU-IBT stated.

A few days after the strike began, our comrades learned from the picket line of the suspension of the strike, and that a contract extension with some agreed-upon concessions for these essential workers had been conceded.

The Baltimore Club CPUSA supported the strikers at the Dundalk Marine Terminal. They walked the picket lines, distributed party materials and People’s World articles, and, upon learning of the strike suspension, spoke with the local president of the ILA. The latter said there were rumblings that they would be back to work Friday. And of course they were.

The workers there were prepared to strike for however long it took to win their demands. They had an abundance of food and drinks for the strikers, shelters in place, and port-o-pots set up.

However, as many striking workers reported to us, the issue of automation remains heavy on their minds, and contract negotiations are set to begin again in January.

The ongoing dispute between port owners and operators and both longshore unions over automation — ILA in the East and Gulf coasts, inland ports such as Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland, and on waterways; and the ILWU on the West Coast — has been lasting for decades.

Workers feel that with the immense leverage they have now, and the fact that the public finally recognizes the crucial role of longshoremen in the economy, they have an opportunity to cement the job security clauses into their contract and dictate to the corporations the terms of use regarding automation that will work for their interests, and not purely for maximum profits.

The union and USMX will meet again following the expiration of the extended Master Agreement on January 15, 2025 and will return to the bargaining table to negotiate all other outstanding issues.

The reason for extending the Master Agreement and not settling now, according to the ILA, was because if they were to settle now, they would need to sign a no-strike clause, severely weakening their bargaining power to negotiate on other crucial issues pertaining to job security and the future of their work.

Should they strike again, it would be because USMX refuses to concede on jurisdiction protections, automation protections, and healthcare benefits. If, and when, the ILA calls for a strike, the CPUSA and its party clubs will mobilize in their support and help build the solidarity movement on their behalf.

All power to the workers!

Images: CPUSA Baltimore club members with ILA members at Dundalk Marine Terminal (CPUSA Baltimore); ALU-IBT members on the ILA picket line at Port Liberty by Amazon Labor Union IBT (Twitter/X)

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