Trump’s Support for Longshoremen Sparks Urgent Call for Negotiations

With just one month remaining on the master contract for the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), the American Apparel & Footware Association is urging the union to resume negotiations following a show of support from President-elect Donald Trump. Trump recently issued a strongly worded endorsement of the ILA’s stance against port automation, emphasizing the need for foreign companies to respect dockworkers.

Steve Lamar, president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footware Association, expressed gratitude for Trump’s commitment to strengthening U.S. ports and his engagement with ILA leadership. Lamar emphasized the critical importance of reaching a fair labor agreement with the United States Maritime Alliance to prevent disruptions to East and Gulf Coast ports.

Economic Impact of Potential Labor Disruption

The apparel industry group underscored the potential economic repercussions of a labor strike at the ports, citing estimates of $4.5 billion to $7.5 billion in lost economic activity per week. A three-day strike in October 2024 resulted in prolonged backlogs, adversely affecting industries reliant on the timely movement of goods through the ports.

Notably, the East and Gulf Coast ports serve as crucial gateways for a wide range of imports and exports, including apparel, footwear, travel goods, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products. Lamar stressed the need to prevent disruptions that could jeopardize the flow of essential goods and harm American farmers and businesses.

Call for Prompt Resolution

The American Apparel & Footware Association urged the ILA to promptly return to negotiations with USMX to finalize a contract before the current agreement expires on January 15. The statement emphasized the importance of avoiding a major economic disruption prior to Trump’s inauguration on January 20.

In response to Trump’s support, ILA Executive Vice President Dennis Daggett acknowledged the President-elect’s understanding of the challenges posed by automation and expressed appreciation for his engagement with dockworkers.

Calls for Modernization and Collaboration

A coalition of over 250 trade associations echoed the importance of resuming negotiations between the ILA and USMX, highlighting the need for collaboration to address issues related to automation and technology. While acknowledging the benefits of modernization for port efficiency and competitiveness, they emphasized the necessity of finding common ground to ensure a sustainable future for U.S. ports.

The American Apparel & Footware Association affirmed its belief in the importance of semi-automation to enhance port operations, create new job opportunities, and drive economic growth.