Potential union strike threatens the East and Gulf Coast economy

MOBILE, Ala. ( WKRG ) — A potential strike could impact ports across the United States, including the Port of Mobile.

The International Longshoreman Association union represents over 45,000 workers on the East and Gulf coasts.

The union's representatives demand high wages and a ban on using automated gates and cranes.

These workers are threatening to walk off the job Oct. 1 if changes are not made.

The ILA's contract with the United States Maritime Alliance, which represents these ports, expires on Sept. 30. USMA reportedly has not negotiated with the union since June.

ILA reportedly has asked for a 77% pay raise over a six-year contract to keep pace with inflation.

Mobile Chamber President Bradley Byrne weighed in on the possibility of a strike.

"If we had a strike here and we didn't have the goods going in and out of our port, that's going to have a ripple effect all throughout the Mobile regional economy. So, it's bad for us," said Byrne. "There's no other way to say it. It's also bad for the national economy."

"At the local level, anyone that has a direct or even indirect connection to the port is going to be affected very negatively," Byrne said. "It can mean loss of jobs and could definitely mean that some of our businesses will struggle to stay open."

According to government statistics and the Alabama Port Authority, the Port of Mobile was ranked the 14th largest U.S. port in cargo handled in 2022.

And annually brings more than $98 billion in economic impact to Alabama.

The last time the ILA had been on strike was in 1977.

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News 5 had reached out to the local ILA office, but no one was available to provide more information.