HOUSTON – Thousands of dock workers are on strike, shutting down U.S. ports from Maine to Texas (including the Port of Houston).
EXPLAINER: Why are dockworkers at the Port of Houston striking? What are their demands?
Around midnight Tuesday, our cameras showed dozens of workers outside the Bayport Container Terminal in Seabrook holding signs saying “NO WORK WITHOUT A FAIR CONTRACT” and “ILA WORKERS OVER MACHINES; DEFEND OUR JOBS AND RIGHTS.”
The shutdown could raise prices on goods around the country and potentially cause shortages and price increases at big and small retailers, especially as the holiday shopping season approaches. This strike is stemmed from a contract dispute between The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Association (USMX).
MORE: 5 things to know about looming port strikes that could impact Houston, East Coast
Ed Emmett, a fellow in Energy and Transportation policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute, spoke with KPRC 2 reporter Bill Barajas saying:
“You’re dealing with a union that’s all American workers and the ship owners are pretty much all foreign owners. And if you listen to what the unions are saying, they’re saying, ‘look, these foreign owners have made billions and billions of dollars off the supply chain of the U.S. And the ILA is saying it’s their time to get part of that.”
This strike by the ILA marks the first time since 1977 and could cause serious impacts on the U.S. economy. Not to mention potentially affect the upcoming election next month.
And the strike doesn’t just impact consumers, it affects workers. For example, the Greater Houston Trucking Association told KPRC 2 many local trucking companies rely on business from the port to stay busy.
RELATED: How Port of Houston shutdown amid dockworkers strike threat could affect your shopping
Paul Woodfork, owner of Swift Eagle Trucklines, who spoke with KPRC 2 reporter Bryce Newberry said he is still trying to figure out options for what to do during the strike as business from the port is what kept his business going.
“You still have a family to feed and insurance to pay, gas, bills to pay and everything, you know, and employees to pay for as well,” he said.
Tune in at 8 a.m. on KPRC 2+Now to hear from an expert on how this strike may impact the upcoming election.