President-Elect Trump Backs ILA in Port Automation Dispute

President-Elect Donald Trump has thrown his support behind the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) in their ongoing labor dispute with the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) over port automation.

With a critical January 15, 2025 deadline approaching, the dispute threatens to disrupt operations at major East and Gulf Coast ports following a three-day October strike that resulted in a tentative agreement on wage increases and a contract extension.

Following a meeting with ILA leadership, Trump expressed strong opposition to port automation, citing the impact on American workers. He stated, “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers,” criticizing foreign companies’ pursuit of automation at the expense of American jobs.

At the center of the controversy are semi-automated rail-mounted gantry cranes (RMGs). ILA Executive Vice President Dennis A. Daggett revealed that these systems are actually 95% fully automated, with human intervention required only in the final stages of container placement.

The USMX argues that modernization is essential for industry sustainability, emphasizing improved worker safety, port efficiency, and increased capacity.

The dispute extends into national security territory, with the ILA warning about cybersecurity vulnerabilities in automated systems and potential threats from foreign adversaries.

As both sides remain entrenched in their positions, the outcome of this dispute could reshape the future of American port operations, impacting labor relations and national security infrastructure.