SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – More than 2,000 ships pass through the Port of Savannah each year. Starting Tuesday, the Savannah River will be quieter due to a strike at ports across the coast.
Close to 45,000 port workers from Maine to Texas are now on strike, including here in Savannah. It comes after a stall in contract negotiations.
The workers at the Port went on strike Tuesday after at 12:01 a.m. Workers argue that their wages have stagnated, and this is enhanced by rising inflation.
This move comes amid stalled contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance.
Workers are demanding fair wages and benefits that reflect the booming profits of the billion-dollar shipping companies. This strike could affect nearly half of America’s ports, leading to shortages of everyday items such as pharmaceuticals, produce, clothing, fresh meats and cars.
The stoppage will disrupt the ports here in Savannah and Brunswick.
The Georgia Ports Authority did take preemptive measures by extending truck hours to move cargo ahead of deadlines.
“We know that the port is one of our number one employees, so we know that if there is strike that it is going to affect us greatly,” said Chester A. Ellis, chairman of the Chatham County Board of Commissioners.
The Georgia Ports Authority says they are not involved in the contract negotiations. Still, they said, “We remain hopeful for a smooth settlement and peaceful resolution to keep supply chains moving and competitive.”
Members of the ILA were outside of the Savannah port chanting throughout Tuesday morning. President of ILA local 2046 and International VP of ILA, Kerry Scott, provided WSAV the following statement:
Even though the ILA’s members worked tirelessly during the pandemic to ensure that the nation’s commerce flowed and continue to sacrifice time with their own families so that goods can arrive in the homes of other families throughout: the world, still, due to corporate greed, employers refuse to compensate the ILA’s members fairly. Over the last several years, the net revenues of these companies have grown astronomically from hundreds of millions to billions of dollars while the ILA member’s wage increases do not even cover the cost of inflation. The ILA is fighting for respect, appreciation, and fairness in a world in which corporations are dead set on replacing hardworking people with automation. Employers push automation under the guise of safety, but it is really about cutting labor costs to increase their already exceptionally high profits. As the last six years have demonstrated, automation cannot outperform the skilled men and women of the ILA. Automation of our nations’ ports should be a concern for everyone; the truth is, robots do not pay taxes, and they do not spread money in their communities. The ILA will continue to fight until its members receive the fair contract they deserve.
It should be noted that the ILA pledges to continue to handle military cargo during the strike and that passenger cruise ships will remain unaffected.
WSAV will keep you updated as the strike and negotiations progress.
