President-elect Donald J. Trump has lent his support to the International Longshoremen’s Association (I.L.A.), which represents dockworkers on the East and Gulf Coasts, amid a labor dispute over automation. The I.L.A. opposes the use of port machinery that can move cargo without human involvement, fearing it reduces jobs, while employers claim it increases efficiency.
Trump said he sympathized with the union’s fears, stating “the amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers.” The I.L.A. has suspended a short strike in October after securing a large wage increase and agreed to continue negotiations on other contract issues until January 15.
Trump’s backing of the I.L.A. may strengthen the hand of unions that have courted him, but labor experts say the union is unlikely to compromise easily on automation. The deadlock in talks centers on equipment such as semi-automated cranes, which some union members oppose due to concerns about staffing levels and workforce protections.
The maritime alliance has asserted that more efficient ports benefit the whole economy, saying the labor contract supports American consumers and businesses. However, some in Trump’s inner circle have been critical of the I.L.A., with Vivek Ramaswamy calling for limiting innovation and Elon Musk mocking the union leader over his yacht ownership.
A strike by the I.L.A. could lead to significant pressure on Mr. Trump to turn against the union, with Republicans in Congress potentially using a 1947 law, the Taft-Hartley Act, to force workers back to work.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/14/business/economy/trump-ila-port-strike.html