Trump backs dockworkers in port automation battle

Trump met with International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) President, Harold Daggett, and Executive VP, Dennis Daggett, at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida on Thursday to discuss the union’s currently stalled negotiations on a new master labour contract with employers the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX).

According to posts by both parties on social media the two-hour long discussion with the incoming President focused heavily on the issue of automation and semi-automation at ports which lies at the crux of the ongoing dispute between unions and employers.

Posting on his Truth Social platform Trump noted there had been a lot of discussion about automation on the US docks, and somewhat predictably, claimed to be an expert on automation. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen,” Trump stated.

While the billionaire businessman might not seem like a natural ally of the unions, but as the dispute between the ILA is with foreign-owned entities which control the container terminals on the US East Coast it suits his ‘America First’ agenda and being seen to be back American workers.

“Foreign companies have made a fortune in the US by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt. They’ve got record profits, and I’d rather these foreign companies spend it on the great men and women on our docks, than machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced,” the incoming President wrote.

Related:Deadline for cargo to beat possible US port strike passed

Trump’s public backing of the ILA in its dispute USMX is important as it shows the potential direction his Administration would take if dockworkers do strike again on 15 January 2025 just days before he takes office.

In an apparent warning to the USMX he said, “In the end, there’s no gain for them, and I hope that they will understand how important an issue this is for me. For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries.”

USMX issued a statement following the meeting between Trump and the ILA where it stuck to its view that automation was necessary at ports on the US East Coast.

“We appreciate and value President-elect Trump’s statement on the importance of American ports. It’s clear President-elect Trump, USMX, and the ILA all share the goal of protecting and adding good-paying American jobs at our ports. But this contract goes beyond our ports – it is about supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products,” USMX stated.

Related:Unions walk away from US East Coast ports contract negotiations

“To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains. ILA members’ compensation increases with the more goods they move – the greater capacity our ports have and goods that are moved means more money in their pockets.”

In early October the current Biden Administration intervened to halt a strike by ILA members that closed ports all along the US East and Gulf Coasts for three days. The intervention led to a tentative deal between the ILA and USMX for a 62% pay rise over six years. However, the agreement was provisional on the two sides returning to the bargaining table to resolve other outstanding issues, including automation, by 15 January 2025.

In November ILA walked away from negotiations with USMX scheduled to last for four days after just two days saying that employers were intent on introducing semi-automation. Talks between the two sides have not reconvened since with a further strike by ILA dockworkers from 15 January looking increasingly likely.

Related:Dockworkers on frontline of automation wars

The ILA meanwhile celebrated the support it had received from the President-elect. “I am so grateful to President Donald Trump for his courageous support for American ILA longshore workers,” said ILA President Harold Daggett.

“He totally understands the threat that automation and semi-automation has in destroying jobs and families. He has stood up for us in his strong statement against the foreign-owned ocean carriers pushing automation on American ports and then taking their billion-dollar profits back home with them.”

The ILA President called on USMX remove any language on automated or semi-automated equipment from their proposals moving forward to allow for agreement on a new Master Contract without further labour disruptions.