Port workers from Maine to Texas began walking picket lines early Tuesday in a strike over wages and automation that could reignite inflation and cause shortages of goods if it goes on more than a few weeks.
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00:00Dock workers at major ports in the U.S. have gone on strike over wages and automation.
00:06The strike followed the expiration of the contract between the ports and about 45,000
00:11members of the International Longshoremen's Association.
00:15The strike at 36 ports from Maine to Texas is the first in 50 years.
00:21We're at the end of a six-year contract, OK?
00:24And we are in negotiations now for a fair contract.
00:30A fair contract, OK?
00:32And a contract not filled with automation, OK?
00:36The strike comes despite the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents the ports, saying
00:41progress had been reported in contract talks.
00:44There are fears that the strike could affect the U.S. presidential election, which is just
00:49weeks away.
00:51Experts warn that the strike at the East and Gulf Coast ports could reignite inflation
00:57and cause shortages of goods if it goes on more than a few weeks.