Officials don’t see any shortages due to a likely strike at a U.S. port

New York officials said Monday they are prepared for a likely U.S. longshore strike, assuring consumers they will not lose access to food and other essential goods.

“We do not anticipate that there will be shortages of essential goods any time soon,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul. “People don’t have to rush to the grocery store and stock up like they did during the pandemic.”

Hochul was joined by officials from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, one of 14 large U.S. ports on the eastern Gulf Coast, whose employees are willing to walk off the job after midnight when a six-year contract expires.

Both sides blame each other for the impasse.

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which represents workers, said the business group United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) refused to enter into a “fair and decent contract,” according to a statement on Monday.

Shipping companies are making a “shameful” effort “to make billions of dollars in profits in U.S. ports and avoid the costs of U.S. longshore workers,” the ILA said.

USMX blames the ILA, saying the union refused to negotiate meaningfully. Last week, the group filed a complaint with U.S. labor regulators asking to force talks.

The impasse deepened expectations of a strike after midnight from a group of large facilities, including: in Boston, Philadelphia, Savannah, New Orleans and Houston.

“While we encouraged both sides to reach an amicable agreement at the bargaining table, all indications are that a strike will occur,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton.

Hochul noted that pharmaceutical products would not be affected because they are typically flown in rather than shipped by ship. State officials are monitoring other medical supplies, but supplies are sufficient for the foreseeable future, she added.

Hochul, however, mentioned cars and semiconductors as items that could see changes more quickly. She also said a prolonged strike could reduce the availability of fresh food such as bananas.

“The wholesale food supply here in New York is stable,” Hochul said. “We are not at all concerned about overall food shortages, perhaps individual product shortages.”

source: AFP