NORTH BERGEN, NJ (August 10, 2024) Harold J. Daggett, International President of the 85,000-member International Longshoremen’s Association, continues to work round the clock, eager to engage in serious negotiations with United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), while also preparing his membership for a possible strike on October 1, 2024, if USMX fails to reach an agreement with the ILA.
The ILA continues to build national and international support from unions across America and dockworker unions globally, all pledging to support the ILA.
“We are preparing our ILA membership for both possibilities,” said the ILA leader. “We will stand strong to win a new contract that adequately compensates our hard-working and dedicated ILA longshore workforce, and simultaneously are preparing to strike at all ports from Maine to Texas come October 1st, 2024, if a new agreement is not reached.”
The ILA leader strongly believes the union’s demands are commensurate with their contributions to an industry that has recorded record shattering billion-dollar profits over the past few years for the companies that use ILA labor.
“Our employers know in their hearts that the ILA longshore workers deserve a great contract,” said President Daggett. “The cannot nickel and dime us, while posting billion-dollar profits. That’s just not fair and we are ready to fight for a great contract.”
The ILA has called for Wage Scale Meetings September 4 and 5, 2024, in New Jersey where the union’s Wage Scale delegates will review its Master Contract demands. They will also use those meetings to establish strike committees from Maine to Texas to be ready for October 1, 2024.
The ILA rank-and-file membership is more united in 2024 than any time in the union’s 132-year-history and the International has built up strong national and global support, to help if the ILA goes on strike in October. The list of labor organizations around the world offering to support the ILA continues to grow.
“USMX needs to understand they are not just facing a powerful force within the ILA, but with the strength and might of the entire world-wide dockers’ and maritime community,” said President Daggett. “The International Dockworkers Council (IDC) are leading the way, among international labor organizations, in backing up their Sisters and Brothers of the ILA. Our world-wide army is strong and ready to engage.”
The ILA hopes that USMX recognizes this strength and determination of ILA members to achieve a new labor agreement that respects and rewards them for the contributions they have made to the industry.
“The clock is ticking, and we are getting closer and closer to October 1st,” warned ILA President Daggett. “There will be no extensions offered to USMX so their time is running out.”