Harold Daggett, Chief Negotiator for the International Longshoremen Association (ILA) says his union is willing hold the U.S. economy hostage until their demands are met.
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.
While standing on the picket line with some of the striking workers, Daggett told FOX News that they will fight for higher wages and better benefits.
“You know how many people depend on our jobs? Half the world!” Daggett exclaimed. “It’s time for them and time for Washington to put so much pressure on them to take care of us because we took care of them. And we’re here 135 years and brought them where they are today and they don’t want to share. We’re done.”
President of the International Longshoremen’s Association, Harold J. Daggett, 100% means business:
"People never gave a s*** about us until now. When they finally realized that the chain is being broke now … You know how many people depend on our jobs. Half the world! It's… pic.twitter.com/dQalTgbgsQ
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) October 1, 2024
In Alabama alone, the daily cost of containers idling due to the strike is estimated at $10 million. Nationwide, these costs reach $500 million per day. Each day a ship sits at anchor costs between $80,000 and $120,000. The ultimate burden of these costs will likely fall on consumers.
During an interview earlier this week, Daggett openly threatened that the strike will harm the entire American economy.
“I will cripple you, and you have no idea what that means. Nobody does,” he explained. “When my men hit the streets from Maine to Texas, every single port locked down. You know what’s going to happen? I’ll tell you. First week, be all over the news every night, boom, boom, second week. Guys who sell cars can’t sell cars, because the cars ain’t coming in off the ships. They get laid off. Third week, malls are closing down. They can’t get the goods from China. They can’t sell clothes. They can’t do this.”
"I will cripple you, and you have no idea what that means. Nobody does."
Harold Dagget, Chief Negotiator for the International Longshoremen Association, threatens to cripple the US economy with IMMINENT port strike.
In a recent interview, Harold explains the impact of what will… pic.twitter.com/ImySIQrXoy
— Brother Mikey (@BrotherMikeyX) September 30, 2024
“Everything in the United States comes on a ship,” he continued. “They go out of business. Construction workers get laid off because the materials aren’t coming in. The steel’s not coming in. The lumber’s not coming in. They lose their job. Everybody’s hating the longshoremen now because now they realize how important our jobs are.”
Around 900 ILA members work at the Port of Mobile, which is one of the hubs impacted by the strike.
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.