Dock Worker Strike Could Devastate Economy And Tip 2024 Election

A major dock worker strike threatens to cripple the U.S. economy at a critical moment — just as Election Day looms. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), representing 85,000 workers across the country, is prepared to walk off the job on October 1 if contract talks fail, potentially triggering massive supply chain disruptions and economic chaos. With five of the country’s busiest ports set to grind to a halt, the shockwaves could impact everything from inflation to holiday shopping — and likely Democrats’ already slim election prospects.

The ILA has been locked in a stalemate with the United States Maritime Alliance, which represents port management, over key issues such as wages and the automation of port operations. Negotiations stalled back in June, and now, just over a week before the strike deadline, both sides remain at an impasse.

Here’s how a dock worker strike could unleash widespread disruption and hurt Democrats at the polls:

• Massive Supply Chain Disruptions: The strike would affect 36 ports along the East and Gulf Coasts, which handle nearly 50% of U.S. imports. The ripple effects will be felt worldwide, with supply chains from Europe to Asia facing significant delays and shortages.

• Skyrocketing Inflation: If the strike drags on, supply chain blockages will inevitably lead to higher prices, throwing consumers into a new wave of inflation. With prices already up nearly 20% since pre-pandemic levels, families struggling to make ends meet could face more pain at the register, just as Democrats try to hold onto their slim advantage in the election.

• Retailers Face Holiday Shortages: The timing couldn’t be worse for retailers. Any prolonged strike will likely lead to empty shelves during the holiday shopping season, the most crucial period for businesses. Retailers are already bracing for the impact, with cargo being shifted from East to West Coast ports in anticipation of the shutdown.

Despite the looming catastrophe, the Biden administration is refusing to intervene. The president has the legal authority to block strikes that threaten national security or the economy, yet the White House insists on sitting this one out, urging both sides to return to the negotiating table instead. Some speculate Biden’s reluctance stems from internal party politics — with Kamala Harris leading the Democratic ticket after Biden’s re-election campaign was torpedoed earlier this year, the president may not feel inclined to go out of his way to salvage her chances.

This lack of action comes at a time when Americans are already deeply dissatisfied with the Democrats' economic track record. In June, a staggering 60% disapproved of Biden’s handling of the economy. With Harris currently locked in a tight race against Donald Trump, any economic upheaval could tip the scales further in Trump’s favor. Harris, clinging to a slim two-point lead in the polls, is facing a situation eerily similar to Hillary Clinton’s in 2016 — and we all know how that turned out.

House Republicans aren’t standing by silently. Last week, GOP members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee sent a letter to President Biden, urging his administration to take immediate action to prevent the strike, citing the “dire impacts” it would have on the supply chain, economy, and American consumers. The letter echoes what many industry insiders have been warning: even a one-day strike could lead to weeks of recovery. A strike lasting a week or more would create delays and disruptions that could stretch well into 2025.

While the full-blown strike hasn’t yet begun, its effects are already rippling across the country. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has started scaling back operations to avoid a buildup of containers. Ships from overseas are delaying their journeys, hoping to dock and unload before any shutdown. Others, already en route since mid-August, are scrambling to make it to port in time.

The last major dock worker strike by the ILA took place in 1977 and lasted an astonishing 44 days. The union’s current president, Harold Daggett, was a member during that time and is familiar with the leverage a prolonged strike can give. He even helped convince West Coast dock workers not to unload ships diverted from the East Coast, amplifying the impact. If history repeats itself, the consequences could be devastating for an already fragile economy.

As the clock ticks down, all eyes are on the docks. With just weeks to go before voters head to the polls, the Democrats’ chances of surviving this latest crisis are looking increasingly slim.

Share this article to stay informed or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates.