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Biden is holding back from intervening in the dock workers' strike

The Biden administration is calling on longshoremen and port owners to reach an independent agreement as a nationwide strike threatens to upend dozens of U.S. ports and trade. The strike, which began on Tuesday, involves 45,000 dock workers demanding better wages. Workers argue that their workload has increased due to trade growth as a result of the pandemic, while inflation has reduced wages. The economic impact of the strike could be felt sometime in the next few weeks, potentially disrupting supply chains and increasing the cost of goods. Still, President Biden says he wants everyone involved to reach an agreement on their own. “The owners are making tens of millions of dollars from this. The last thing they need is to profit from it,” Biden said Wednesday. “It's time for them to sit down at the table and do this strike.” In a one-on-one interview with Hearst Television, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reiterated the administration's stance. “We remind all parties that this is the case.” “We hope this helps motivate them to reach an agreement, find a solution and get a good, fair deal that allows the companies to be successful “But it benefits workers,” Buttigieg said. The White House has the option to invoke the Taft-Hartley Act. The law gives the president the ability to issue a court order and expedite negotiations. Biden also emphasized the need for a resolution to the strike in light of Hurricane Helene. “This natural disaster is incredibly consequential,” he said. “The last thing we need beyond that is a man-made disaster with what's going on at the ports.” Despite concerns about the impact on the supply chain, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said there was no shortage of supplies for the storm make sacrifices, although perishable items may disappear from shelves first. The Labor Ministry is in contact with both sides of the strike and calls on them to resume negotiations. It also encourages shipping companies to share more of their profits with workers.

WASHINGTON—

The Biden administration is calling on longshoremen and port owners to reach an independent agreement as a nationwide strike threatens to upend dozens of U.S. ports and trade.

45,000 port workers are taking part in the strike, which began on Tuesday, demanding higher wages. Workers argue that their workload has increased due to trade growth following the pandemic, while inflation has reduced wages.

The economic impact of the strike could be felt sometime in the next few weeks, potentially disrupting supply chains and increasing the cost of goods. Nevertheless, President Biden says he wants everyone involved to reach an agreement on their own.

“The owners are making tens of millions of dollars from this. The last thing they need is to profit from it,” Biden said Wednesday. “It’s time for them to sit down and take this strike.”

In a one-on-one interview with Hearst Television, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reiterated the administration's stance.

“We remind all parties that this is the case and hope that this helps motivate them to reach an agreement, find a solution and reach a good, fair deal with which the companies can succeed but is good for workers,” Buttigieg said.

If a solution is not reached soon, the White House has the option of invoking the Taft-Hartley Act. The law gives the president the ability to issue a court order and expedite negotiations.

Biden also emphasized the need to resolve the strike in light of Hurricane Helene.

“This natural disaster is incredibly consequential,” he said. “The last thing we need beyond that is a man-made disaster in what’s happening at the ports.”

Despite concerns about the impact on the supply chain, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said there is no shortage of supplies for victims of the storm, although perishable items may disappear from shelves first.

The Labor Ministry is in contact with both sides of the strike and calls on them to resume negotiations. It also encourages shipping companies to share more of their profits with workers.

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