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MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Tonight, there’s nothing happening at the Port of Mobile’s Container Terminal, as a nationwide strike grips the shipping industry.
This morning, as soon as the clock struck 12:01 a.m., a strike involving thousands of Longshoremen across the United States, even right here in our port city, began.
This coming after growing tensions between port workers and the United States Maritime Alliance over the increasing threat of automation and wages.
Signs that say, “Machines don’t feed families: Support ILA workers,” and “No work without a fair contract,” were held high by local port workers, hoping to grab the attention of the USMX.
President of the International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1410 Mark Bass said it’s the hard-working people that get the job done.
“As we all know, machines don’t pay, they don’t pay taxes, they don’t pay social security, they don’t pay insurance, they don’t pay none of that,” Bass said. “When it comes to automation, we will never agree to it. We have to be available for work 24 hours 7 days a week. We miss birthdays, we miss anniversaries, we miss all important family functions just to make sure the goods are moved in and out of the country.”
Industry experts warning that a one-week strike could cost the U.S. economy more than $3.7 billion and could affect the import of bananas, coffee and more.
Owner of Toomey’s Mardi Gras Stephen Tommey said he doesn’t see this impacting his business right now but is aware of what could come if the strike goes on.
“Fortunately, we got probably 75 to 80 percent of our goods have already arrived and we unloaded a container this morning as a matter of fact,” Toomey said. “I don’t think it’ll go on forever. I think it’ll free up hopefully within the next couple of weeks and things will get back to normal as quickly as possible.”
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