Dockworkers in Virginia joined a nationwide strike on Tuesday, part of a broader movement involving 45,000 workers across 36 coastal states. The workers are demanding higher wages and stricter regulations on automation.
In response, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin urged the White House to step in and halt the strike. He called on President Biden to use federal powers, including provisions in the Taft-Hartley Act, which allows the president to seek a court-ordered 80-day cooling-off period during labor disputes.
President Biden has the tools to resolve this situation for Virginia and the nation, Gov. Youngkin said.
However, White House spokesperson Robyn Patterson dismissed the idea, stating, We’ve never used Taft-Hartley to break a strike, and we’re not considering it now. We support collective bargaining as the best path to a fair agreement for both workers and employers.
The Port of Virginia is a crucial economic hub, supporting nearly 9,500 jobs and handling over 14 million tons of containerized imports. This strike marks the first for dockworkers since 1977, and economists warn of potential shortages and price increases if negotiations stall for weeks.
The union’s initial proposal includes a 77% wage increase, with International Longshoremen’s Association workers currently earning an average base salary of $81,000 per year. In addition to wage concerns, dockworkers in Virginia are protesting automation, with signs reading, Automation hurts families: ILA stands for job protection.