CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga (WSAV) – Dock workers across the Atlantic and Gulf Coast are demanding higher wages, and if they don’t get it, they’re threatening to strike.
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) is taking a stand to fight for higher wages for longshoremen across the Atlantic and Gulf Coast. The US Maritime Alliance is trying to agree on the September 30 deadline. The alliance said the union has not been willing to resume negotiations.
The Georgia Ports Authority is preparing for the strike by holding longer hours for trucks to move cargo before Oct. 1. They said they do not have a seat at the table during negotiations.
Chatham County Commissioner Chairman Chester Ellis told News 3 this would have a big impact on the region.
“We know the port is one of our main employees, so we know if there’s a strike it’s going to affect us a lot,” Ellis said.
A short strike can cause disruption. A prolonged strike would damage the US economy and cause shortages of consumer products.
Under the master contract, dockworkers at the top of the pay scale earn a fee of $39 an hour, or about $81,000 a year.
ILA president Harold Daggett said a sleeping giant is ready to roar on Tuesday, October 1.
“If all of this stopped, it will affect every household in Chatham County,” Ellis said.
The alliance said it is willing to resume talks to avoid the first national longshoreman strike since 1977.
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