U.S. braces for biggest in 50 years strike at East Coast and Gulf ports

The U.S. will almost surely face a massive strike in the East Coast and Gulf ports at the beginning of October as the confrontation between the maritime union and employers escalates.

The negotiations on a new contract between the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA), the largest union for maritime workers in North America, and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), representing employers in the maritime industry, began in May 2024 but stalled during the summer. The key disagreements revolve around wage increases, port automation, and workers' rights.

In the last week of September, instead of coming closer to the solution before the previous agreement expires on September 30, the tensions between parties have only increased. The USMX even asked federal authorities to step in, accusing ILA of refusing negotiations. ILA dismissed USMX's request for intervention as a "publicity stunt." But what does this mean for stainless steel? Continue Reading? Please click box below!