Thousands of dock workers from Boston to Houston remain on the picket line for the second day, and it is a strike many warn will be costly for the ag industry.
Perishable and container shipments are most likely to feel the initial impact of the strike along East and Gulf Coast ports. The Farm Bureau points to fruits like bananas, with 75 percent of the nation’s supply coming through those ports. Some sectors have already been preparing and have shifted outgoing goods to the West Coast.
The International Longshoremen’s Association has a list of demands they say need to be met before they will return to work. They demand a 77 percent raise over the course of a six-year contract, saying it is necessary because of inflation. The White House could get involved if the President decides the strike is a threat to national security. The Federal Maritime Commission says that President Biden has signaled that he has no intention of stepping in.
“Ultimately this is a collective targeting action between a labor union and employers, so it’s difficult to have that much of an impact. There is the possibility that they could weigh in with the Taft-Hartley Act. The President, I believe, has been not inclined to do that. However, even if actions are taken with a Taft-Hartley, you can order someone back to work, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to solve the issue. So there’s still a lot that remains to be seen,” said Carl Bentzel.
Despite the White House’s plan to stay neutral in the fight, several ag groups are pleading with the Administration to step in.
The National Milk Producers Federation, along with the U.S. Dairy Export Council, are asking President Biden to take action. NMPF President Gregg Doud says in a statement, “This strike puts the livelihoods of American dairy farmers and the strength of our supply chain at risk. The Administration needs to step in and end the strike before further damage is done.”
