Kamala Harris Backs Dockworkers Strike Despite Union Boss Warning It Could ‘Cripple’ Economy

Vice President Kamala Harris has thrown her support behind a massive dockworkers strike that threatens to cripple the U.S. economy, standing with union leaders as supply chains face major disruptions. The strike, launched this week by the Longshoremen, could have devastating consequences, impacting everything from consumer goods to holiday preparations as ships remain stuck at port.

Harris defended the dockworkers’ decision to strike, claiming that it was about “fairness” in the face of record profits by foreign-owned shipping companies. “The Longshoremen, who play a vital role transporting essential goods across America, deserve a fair share of these record profits,” Harris said, positioning herself as a champion of the working class.

However, the endorsement came with a sharp jab at former President Donald Trump, accusing him of making “empty promises” to American workers. “Donald Trump makes empty promise after empty promise to American workers, but never delivers,” Harris said, attempting to shift blame onto her political rival while workers and businesses across the country brace for the strike’s fallout.

The stakes are high. The strike, led by union president Harold Daggett, who has donated more than $1.6 million to Democrats, is already snarling supply chains. Goods like coffee, bananas, cars, clothing, and Christmas decorations are likely to be delayed or face shortages as the strike continues. With the holiday season approaching, the economic impact could be massive. Daggett, who made $728,000 last year in his role, warned that the strike could “cripple” the economy if their demands are not met.

Despite the economic risks, President Joe Biden has signaled that he has no plans to intervene. Under the Taft-Hartley Act, Biden could pause the strike for 80 days, but so far, he has shown no intention of doing so. Some speculate that Biden’s reluctance is due to tensions within the Democratic Party, particularly after Harris replaced him on the 2024 ticket. Others suggest that the administration is courting the union vote, trying to rally a traditionally Democratic base despite its dwindling support for Harris.

The dockworkers’ union rejected a last-minute offer from port ownership that would have given them a nearly 50% wage increase. However, the union is demanding more, including a halt to port automation something that port owners argue is necessary for modernization and efficiency.

Harris faces a difficult balancing act. Union support, once a Democratic stronghold, has eroded under her campaign. She became the first Democratic presidential candidate in nearly 30 years to fail to secure the endorsement of the Teamsters, a significant blow. In fact, internal polling shows that nearly 60% of the Teamsters’ 1.3 million members support Trump. This shift highlights the growing disillusionment among union members with Democratic leadership, especially on economic issues.

Meanwhile, the strike has exposed the cracks in Harris’ economic messaging. As she attempts to paint herself as an ally of American workers, polls show that voters overwhelmingly favor Trump on the economy. With inflation still hitting American households and supply chain issues looming, Harris’ support for a strike that could worsen these problems might not sit well with many voters.

The Longshoremen’s strike is likely to have ripple effects far beyond the ports. As supply chains grind to a halt and the cost of goods potentially rises, the Biden-Harris administration will have to answer for why they allowed the strike to continue unchecked. For now, Harris’ backing of the union puts her in a difficult position one where she must balance appeasing thousands of striking workers while trying to avert an economic disaster.

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