ILA Reaches Tentative Deal on Wages, Suspends Strike After Three Days

Photo by Jeff Rae

After just three days on strike, the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) last night reached a tentative agreement with the United States Maritime Alliance on wages, agreeing to extend the Master Contract until January 15, 2025 to negotiate all other outstanding issues.

“I applaud the longshoremen who do such important work and deserve to be valued for it, and the companies for the critical role they play in our supply chain and for recognizing the invaluable contributions of their workers," said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. "I’m so proud to be part of an administration that stands with working people in their fight for good jobs. When unions are strong, our economy is strong, and our country is strong.”

ILA members saw strong turnout from allies including the NYC CLC, local unions and elected leaders on picket lines in Staten Island and Brooklyn throughout the three day strike. Throughout the pandemic, longshore workers never took a day off, risking their health and lives to make sure shelves were stocked and the supply chain remained strong. Meanwhile, the shipping companies raked in $400 billion in profit from 2020 to 2023. Like all other workers, longshoremen need raises to keep up with the cost of living from corporate greedflation, and they need fair contract provisions that protect their jobs from being eliminated by automation. Congratulations to all of them for holding the line and getting a tentative deal! Follow the ILA here for more.