President-elect Donald Trump has publicly backed the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) in its contract dispute with the US Maritime Alliance (USMX), throwing his support behind the union’s opposition to increased port automation, Al Jazeera reports.
This stance marks a significant departure from traditional Republican support for business interests over labor unions.
The ILA and USMX are locked in negotiations, with a January 15th deadline looming to finalize a new contract following a temporary October agreement brokered by the Biden administration. That agreement ended a three-day strike that severely disrupted East and Gulf Coast port operations, but left the contentious issue of semi-automated cranes unresolved.
Trump, following a meeting with ILA President Harold Daggett and Executive Vice President Dennis Daggett, declared his support for the union’s position on Truth Social. He argued that the cost savings from automation don’t outweigh the harm to American workers, specifically the longshoremen.
“I’ve studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it,” Trump said. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen.”
He further criticized foreign shipping companies, claiming they profit immensely from the US market and should prioritize hiring American workers instead of investing in automation.
“They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt,” Trump said, urging them to invest in their workforce rather than expensive machinery.
The ILA contends that automation leads to job losses, while USMX argues that modernization is essential to maintaining the competitiveness of US ports. In response to Trump’s statement, USMX affirmed its commitment to protecting American jobs and strengthening supply chains. The group emphasized that the contract impacts the entire US economy, from farmers to small businesses, and that modernization is crucial for increased efficiency, capacity, and ultimately, higher wages for longshoremen due to increased cargo volume.
