As the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) begins its first strike since 1977, fierce criticism of the union leadership’s decision to orchestrate a mass walkout has grown across the country.

Elected officials from both parties have urged the union to end the strike, with many expressing anger over its timing as the nation struggles with high inflation and the aftermath of a major natural disaster.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey released a statement Tuesday afternoon saying that the ILA was showing its “true colors” at a time when many families are already facing difficult economic circumstances. The Port of Mobile is one of the most critical ports of those impacted.

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“Alabamians want to work and provide for their families, but, once again, big labor is exploiting them,” Ivey said. “If the ILA was genuinely fighting for their workers, they would be at the table negotiating for them. Instead, at a time when families across the country are struggling to afford the rising cost of goods and as several Southeastern states are reeling from a devastating hurricane, the ILA is showing their true colors.”

“They have chosen to hold hostage our economy, American consumers, and its own workers they claim to support. And who will end up with the brunt of the cost? Hardworking Americans.”

The fault for the entire situation rests with the White House, according to Ivey. “No matter how this ends, we can remember no Administration has done more to inflate prices than the Biden-Harris Administration.”

Tuesday at midnight, roughly 47,000 unionized port workers belonging to the ILA walked off the job and are now on strike in an attempt to negotiate a 77% pay raise. Around 900 ILA members work at the Port of Mobile, which is one of the hubs impacted by the strike.

J.P. Morgan estimates that a strike that shuts down East and Gulf coast ports could cost the economy $3.8 billion to $4.5 billion per day.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten