Port Shutdown and Strike Leadership

As ports from Maine to Texas remain closed, Harold Daggett, the 78-year-old president of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), leads the largest strike in decades. He is pushing for a 77% wage increase over six years, raising base wages from $39 to $69 per hour. He also wants a 50/50 split on all container royalties to go back to the union. Currently, longshoremen earn an average of $81,000 annually, with some exceeding $200,000 with overtime. The strike aims to secure higher wages and protect workers from job losses due to automation.

What Longshoremen Do

Longshoremen perform physically demanding tasks, often outdoors, involving coordination with heavy machinery and shipping equipment. Their responsibilities include:

Loading and Unloading Cargo: Using cranes, forklifts, and other equipment to move containers and bulk goods.
Operating Heavy Equipment: Safely handling machinery like cranes and trucks.
Securing Cargo: Using ropes, cables, or chains to secure cargo during transit.
Inspection and Documentation: Ensuring cargo is undamaged and correctly documented.

Port Automation

Automation at ports is increasing to improve efficiency, with key technologies including:

Automated Cranes: Guided by software, these cranes replace human operators.
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs): Self-driving trucks move containers across the port.
Automated Gates and Terminals: AI-driven systems manage cargo flow with minimal human intervention.

These innovations aim to streamline operations but raise concerns about job displacement. Ironically, the need for automation increases during strikes, as machines offer reliability where human labor cannot. Automation reflects a historical trend of innovation replacing traditional jobs, much like the decline of Kodak.

Presidential Polling Update

As of October 2024, Kamala Harris holds a slight lead over Donald Trump in national polls, with 48% of likely voters supporting her, compared to 44% for Trump. Before Harris entered the race, Trump had a slight advantage over Joe Biden, leading by about 2 percentage points. The polling landscape shifted after Harris became the Democratic nominee.

Daggett’s Relationship with Trump

Daggett shares a well-known rapport with Donald Trump. In 2023, they met to discuss automation and “Right to Work” laws, with Trump reportedly expressing support for the ILA’s opposition to automation. However, questions arise about whether Daggett’s aggressive tactics during this strike serve the best interests of America or reflect Trump’s influence. The timing of the strike, just after Trump’s remarks about using labor loopholes to avoid paying overtime, adds to the speculation.

Daggett, known for his bold, brash rhetoric, insists that this strike is not just about money. He famously declared, “They won’t be able to sell cars. They won’t be able to stock malls. They won’t be able to do anything in this country without my fucking people.” Adding that, “People never gave a shit about us until now.”

Daggett’s Wealth and Influence

While Daggett positions himself as a champion for workers and against corporate greed, his $728,000 salary and luxurious lifestyle, including homes in New Jersey and Florida, luxury cars, and yachts, contrast sharply with his rhetoric. Daggett’s past also includes connections to organized crime, specifically the Genovese crime family, though he was acquitted of RICO conspiracy charges.

Daggett’s five-decade tenure at the ILA is defined by his opposition to port automation, which he argues is essential to protect American jobs.

Concluding Thoughts

Is Harold Daggett truly fighting for the longshoremen and American workers, or is this strike a power play driven by personal ambition and political ties? As the strike continues, the potential impact on the U.S. economy grows more significant.

For Crime and Cask News
What do you think? Is Harold Daggett fighting for the future of longshoremen, or is there another agenda at play? Comment below or join the conversation on our social media channels.

57 / 100