Vice President Kamala Harris commended the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance for reaching a tentative agreement on wages, bringing an end to the strike that had impacted East Coast and Gulf ports.
The agreement, announced on Thursday evening, allows ILA members to resume work at the ports starting Friday. However, the deal is still subject to ratification by the rank-and-file ILA members before it can be implemented.
A prolonged economic stoppage at the ports could have led to higher prices and potential supply chain disruptions just weeks before Election Day, making the resolution of the labor dispute crucial for maintaining smooth operations.
Vice President Harris emphasized the importance of collective bargaining in achieving fair compensation for workers, stating that dockworkers deserve a fair share of the profits generated by their hard work in ensuring essential goods reach communities across America.
This development is seen as a positive step towards securing a strong contract that upholds fairness and ensures that workers benefit from the economic prosperity they help create.
