Some 25,000 dockworkers at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, from Boston to Houston, could strike as early as October 1.
Their union, the International Longshoremen’s Association, has been in contract talks with the United States Maritime Alliance, representing ocean carriers and port operators, for months. But the two sides have not met face-to-face since June.
The alliance this week filed charges with federal labor officials, calling out the union for refusing to bargain. The union called the move a “weak publicity campaign” and says the two sides have had multiple communications in recent weeks.
More than 170 industry groups, from the National Association of Manufacturers to the U.S. Dairy Export Council to the Fashion and Jewelry Trade Association, have urged the Biden administration to intervene, warning that a strike would have a devastating impact on the economy.