Impacts of the longshoremen strike have already brought shipping to a halt across the Eastern Seaboard.
As the western Carolinas recover from absolute devastation in the wake of Hurricane Helene, another unfolding development threatens to exacerbate the already tense situation along the East Coast.
Harold Daggett, president of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), made a public statement aired on announcing the indefinite strike of every dockworker from Maine to Texas. Picket lines could be seen forming out front at several ports across the coast as early as 6 am EST Tuesday morning.
Daggett, who appeared in a controversial video sporting a gold chain, threatened to cause mass layoffs across several industries, including automotive sales and construction, if the union’s demands aren’t met.
He gave his ultimatum in no uncertain terms in a video released by the union, threatening to “cripple” the US economy. “I will cripple you,” he said as he explained the expected effects of the strike within just the first few weeks.
