ILA Longshoreman’s Union Has Warned They Will Strike on Oct 1st
ILA union has warned that they will stop work as early as Oct 1st if a new contract is not agreed upon with USMX before that time. The current 6-year contract expires on Sept 30, 2024. The ILA includes ports on the U.S. East and Gulf coast.
USMX, representing the ocean carriers, issued a press release on 9/23 stating that they were ready and willing to continue bargaining and would welcome mediation help from government.
ILA posted a statement that did not address the reason for not cooperating in setting a time to meet to continue negotiations. Instead, it gave a list of reasons for which they felt a strike was needed.
Effective 9/23/2024 ONE Line discontinued accepting freight from Kansas City routed via the port of Norfolk while cargo originating in Chicago will be embargoed after 9/26.
Routings from Omaha and Kansas city via the port of New York will not be accepted after cut on Sunday 9/29.
We expect other ocean lines will make similar announcements as there has been no new developments nor any meetings between the ILA and USMX this week. Unfortunately none have even been scheduled.
Previously we stated that we anticipated that cargo would be diverted in anticipation of the labor action causing congestion in alternative gateways. Seattle/Tacoma is already severely congested. Bookings going over the U.S. West Coast are filling up so making bookings going Westbound will likely be delayed as well as endure longer transit times.
Please reach out to us if you have specific questions about your shipments. As always we will work to ensure you always have options and all of the information you need to make the best decision for your business.
