EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was published before the sides reached an agreement to suspend the strike until January 15.
Clark
| File photo
CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce has joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in urging President Joe Biden to invoke the Taft-Hartley Act to help end the strike by longshoremen that is affecting supply chain issues across the country.
The International Longshoremen’s Association, a labor union that represents dockworkers and longshoremen on the East Coast and Gulf Coast, went on strike October 1, slowing down work at 14 of the country’s busiest ports.
West Coast longshoremen, represented by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, have been known to go on strike more often. The last time the ILA went on strike was in 1977, and it lasted 45 days.
“We are still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that began over four and a half years ago,” West Virginia Chamber President Steve Roberts said. “Our economy has largely recovered, but supply-chain issues continue to persist. This strike has the potential to unwind much of the progress we have made.
“Many West Virginians are already struggling to find everyday items for their household such as toilet paper and paper towels, and this is just the beginning of the effects.”
The Labor Management Relations Act of 1947 is better known as the Taft-Hartley Act. One section of the act authorizes a president to seek a court order for an 80-day cooling-off period for companies and unions to try to resolve their differences.
President George W. Bush used Taft-Hartley in 2002 to end a strike against 29 west coast ports, and President Richard Nixon used it in 1971 to stop another strike, also by the longshoremen.
The ports affected by the ILA strike “collectively handle more than 68% of all containerized exports and 56% of imports for the nation, with a daily trade value exceeding $2.1 billion,” according to information provided to Biden by U.S. Chamber President Suzanne Clark. (EDITOR’S NOTE: The West Virginia Record is owned by the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Legal Reform.)
“When crafting legislation surrounding labor management in 1947, Congress understood the need to protect the vital interests of the United States by authorizing the President to intervene in labor disputes when needed,” Roberts said. “The shortages of supplies that are being felt only two days into the strike are just the beginning.
“Serious effects including food shortages and significant job losses are a possibility if this strike continues. That is why President Biden needs to act now.”
Before the strike began Tuesday, Clark asked Biden to intervene in the contract negotiations between the ILA and the U.S. Maritime Alliance.
“Americans experienced the pain of delays and shortages of goods during the pandemic-era supply chain backlogs in 2021,” Clark wrote in her letter to Biden. “It would be unconscionable to allow a contract dispute to inflict such a shock to our economy.
“Taft-Hartley would provide time for both parties in negotiation to reach a deal on a new labor contract. We understand labor negotiations are complex, but we urge you to protect our economy by invoking Taft-Hartley and avoiding a work stoppage.”
According to a poll conducted by the U.S. Chamber, 57 percent of American voters support the Biden Administration taking action to keep the ports open and operating while negotiations continue, while about 20 percent of those surveyed said they were opposed to federal intervention.