October 1st, 2024.

More than 45,000 U.S. dock workers went on strike today for the first time since 1977, nearly 50 years ago.

The International Longshoremen's Association Union, which represents 45,000 port workers, is negotiating with the

United States Maritime Alliance or USMX employer group over a new contract. The strike will shut down 36 ports from Maine to Texas,

affecting about half the country's shipping.

Analysts from J.P. Morgan estimate that the strike could cost the U.S. economy about $5 billion a day.

The strikers have said they will continue to unload military cargo.

Doc workers want a 77% increase in pay over six years and better benefits.

While USMX has said it has offered to increase wages by nearly 50%, triple employer contributions to retirement

plans and improve health care options.

In the Washington Post, economics columnist Heather Long pointed out that the big issue at stake is the automation that threatens union jobs.

Although the strike threatens to slow the economy, depending on how long it lasts, President Joe Biden has refused

requests to force the strikers back to work, reiterating his support for collective bargaining.

He noted that ocean carriers have made record profits since the pandemic, sometimes

in excess of 800% over pre-pandemic levels, and that executive compensation and shareholder

profits have reflected those profits.

It's only fair that workers who put themselves at risk during the pandemic to keep ports open

see a meaningful increase in their wages as well, Biden said in a statement.

In the presidential contest, the Trump Vance campaign is trying to preserve its

false narrative.

In Wisconsin today, Trump accused Vice President Harris of murder,

although he appeared to get confused about the victim and claimed that she has a phone app on which the heads of cartels can get

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