Members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) union are on strike for the first time since 1977, stopping operations at the East and Gulf Coast ports of the United States.
The strike has disrupted the flow of many imports and exports, potentially making it one of the most significant work stoppages in decades.
Dockworkers began picketing shortly after their contract expired at midnight, with no agreement in sight.
There is a significant gap between the union's demands and the offer from the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents foreign-owned shipping lines, terminal operators, and port authorities.
The strike is expected to block the movement of a wide range of goods through nearly all cargo ports from Maine to Texas, including everything from toys and fresh fruit to furniture, clothing, household items, and European automobiles.
If Americans thought the effects of COVID on the supply chain were bad, they haven't seen anything yet.
Because companies use "just-in-time" inventory, they no longer store large amounts of products in warehouses. As such, there isn't a large reserve of products already here in the country, just waiting to be loaded on trucks and taken to stores. The inventory just doesn't exist.
With port workers now on strike, once those goods run out at stores, there will be no replenishment. IF you need it, you better get it now because there's no trelling how long this strike will last or how fast the things you need will run out.
