Dockworkers’ Union Opposes Automation Amid Contract Negotiations

Dockworkers’ Union Takes a Stand Against Automation

In June, a significant development unfolded when the dockworkers’ union, known as the International Longshoremen’s Association (I.L.A.), abruptly halted contract negotiations with management. This move heightened concerns about a potential strike at over a dozen critical ports along the East and Gulf Coasts, raising the specter of severe disruptions to the supply chain as the fall season approached. However, the contentious issue was not centered around traditional concerns such as wages, pensions, or working conditions; rather, it revolved around a specific access point—a gate facilitating truck entry at a relatively small port in Mobile, Alabama.

The I.L.A., representing more than 47,000 members, discovered that this gate was equipped with technology designed to check and allow trucks to enter without the involvement of union workers. This revelation was perceived as a direct violation of their labor contract. Union President and chief negotiator Harold J. Daggett asserted, “We will never allow automation to infiltrate our union and jeopardize our livelihoods as long as I’m alive.”

The I.L.A. has long maintained a staunch opposition to automation, recognizing its potential to lead to significant job losses. Longshoremen carry the heavy burden of memories from past technological advancements that have diminished employment opportunities at docks. The introduction of shipping containers in the 1960s is a prime example, allowing ports to handle goods with a drastically reduced workforce. As Brian Jones, a 73-year-old foreman at the Port of Philadelphia, reflected, “You don’t have to pay pensions to robots.” He began his career in 1974, a time when each banana from Costa Rica was unloaded individually, box by box.

Across various sectors of the economy, workers are increasingly anxious about the threat posed by advancing technology on their job security. However, at the ports, the stakes are particularly high, as these positions represent some of the few blue-collar jobs in the United States that can offer salaries exceeding $100,000. While the U.S. has historically lagged behind countries such as China, the Netherlands, and Singapore in port automation, the pace of technological advancement is rapidly increasing, especially along the West Coast.

As the situation evolves, the impact of automation on labor in the maritime industry remains a crucial issue, one that could reshape the landscape of employment at these vital economic hubs.