REUTERS is reporting that a coast-wide strike of the International Longshoremen’s Association (“ILA”) union, which represents 45,000 port workers and the United States Maritime Alliance (“USMX”) employer group, is scheduled to begin tomorrow (10/1/2024) at 12:01 AM (EDT). There are currently no scheduled talks between the parties prior to the strike deadline.
If the strike occurs, it would be the first ILA strike affecting the entire east coast of the United States since 1977. It would impact ports that handle about half of the nation’s ocean shipping and would impact the shipment of everything from food to automobiles, with estimates that the strike would likely cost the U.S. economy up to $5 billion per day.
The REUTERS article may be read in full HERE.
Here is a YouTube video of the ILA’s leader, Harold Daggett, speaking about the history of shipping container transport operations, plans for fully-automated terminals, worker safety, and the looming ILA strike:
My brothers and sisters, the country is already divided politically and with the upcoming General Election in November, the timing for a likely ILA strike that further stokes angst and financial hardships over food and vehicle costs could not be worse, at least from the perspective of most American citizens.
For the ILA, however, the timing could be viewed as ‘perfect’ if the goal is to apply maximum pressure on employers, especially in light of a troubled Biden administration that is seemingly unable to wield sufficient influence between the parties, despite issuing warnings.
Let’s pray that an amicable agreement is reached soon, as the U.S. needs the peace of God right now, not more political and financial angst. This reporter does not know the internal, day-to-day issues currently facing the affected port workers, and sometimes unions have historically overreached; however, what is certain is that in a nation filled with financial and shipping businesses and related government operations affected by workers’ unions, wisdom is the key to fairness.
As the old adage goes, let’s pray that the parties aren’t ‘cutting off their noses to spite their faces’ and in the end, damaging themselves and the nation as a whole.
Let’s look at some of what the bible has to say about peace in our hearts, and using wisdom when considering equity and righteousness in the world.
The bible says that true peace is found only through Christ Jesus:
John 14:27 (NKJV)
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
The bible says that we (the children of God) walk in the peace of Christ, despite worldly tribulation and circumstances, because Jesus has overcome the world:
John 16:33 (NKJV)
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
The bible has a wonderful admonition for us to control the desire for equity (in a worldly sense) and to avoid becoming pretentious in self-righteousness:
Ecclesiastes 7:15-16 (Amplified Bible)
“I have seen everything during my [fleeting] days of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in [spite of] his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives a long life in [spite of] his wickedness. Do not be excessively righteous [like those given to self-conceit], and do not be overly wise (pretentious)—why should you bring yourself to ruin [emphasis mine]?”
