‘We’re out here fighting for our jobs’ port strike begins in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Workers from the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) are striking outside of the Port of Wilmington making demands for better pay.

At midnight on Oct. 1, workers from the ILA began their strike with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX). The contract between the two parties expired and union workers say they have new demands that need to be met.

Workers with the ILA across the country say their pay hasn’t been raised for years, although the price of everything else has. They are demanding better wages, fair rights, and job security.

“It takes money to live,” said Gregory Washington, President of ILA Local 1426. “Everybody else is steadily moving forward and we’re creeping.”

Washington says for years workers have been told they will get better contracts, but nothing has changed.

”We have been waiting and waiting and waiting and our president says the time is now,” said Washington.

However, union workers say it’s not just about the pay, they fear that artificial intelligence and automated machines will replace their jobs.

“We’re out here fighting for our jobs, we’re here because automation has taken over everything,” said Washington.

Washington says as technology evolves, workers want to be a part of that technology.

“We say train us to do the things that you have to do to keep those machines running. So if you want to replace us with machines give us jobs where we can keep them running,” Washington added.

The two sides remain far apart as the union rejected an offer Monday from the United States Maritime Alliance that reportedly included a 50% wage hike over the next six years.

Washington says union workers also want to be compensated for the work they did during COVID. Washington claims workers are questioning if they are valued by USMX.

“We had over 100 people die during COVID while we were out there on those ships and people were at home sitting in their living room doing their work from home, so we want something for it,” Washington says.

Depending on how long the strike lasts, it could impact the economy and make things harder for people trying to recover from storm damage.

Brian Clark, executive director of North Carolina Ports, provided the following statement Tuesday morning:

“The Master Contract between the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) has expired and there is a work stoppage at ports along the U.S. East and Gulf coasts. The Master Contract is an agreement between the ILA and the carriers and direct employers that make up the USMX. North Carolina Ports is not a party to the agreement and therefore is not a participant in the negotiations. North Carolina Ports is hopeful that both parties will return to the negotiating table and reach an agreement that allows all the ports of the East and Gulf Coast to resume operations.

North Carolina Ports is recognizing the work stoppage and has developed the following contingency plan. North Carolina Ports employees working in areas affected by the strike will be temporarily reassigned to other areas as needed.

The Port of Wilmington’s South (Container) Gate is closed for the pickup or delivery of cargo until an agreement is reached. No container vessel operations will be conducted until further notice. No intermodal rail cargo will be worked on or off of the rail at the Port of Wilmington. The Charlotte Inland Port is operating as normal. NC Ports extended its South (container) Gate hours over the weekend in an effort to help customers and port users prior to the work stoppage.

For general cargo operations, the Port of Wilmington’s North Gate and the Port of Morehead City will be operating on a normal schedule. Tenant operations and general cargo yard operations will continue as normal in both ports. No general cargo vessel operations will be conducted until further notice.”

Washington told WECT that ILA union staff have a good relationship with the ILA and they hope to maintain it for the future.

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