Staff Reports
In a move that could only be described as spectacularly tone-deaf, President Joe Biden has decided to call for an end to a strike at the East and Gulf Coast ports. Apparently, he’s realized that an administration built on grand promises and passive management has led the country to a standstill, with 45,000 dockworkers deciding they’d rather strike than work under the current conditions. The impact of this is far-reaching, not just for shipping but also for consumers who are about to notice some glaring empty shelves.
Biden’s strategy? He touted the virtues of collective bargaining while simultaneously placing the blame squarely on foreign-owned carriers. The irony here is thicker than a block of cheddar—Biden is banking on these corporations, which have been raking in profits like a grinning kid at a candy store, to get involved in negotiations with the very workers they apparently haven’t treated well. It’s reminiscent of a lifeguard advising swimmers to be careful while he’s sitting on the beach with his feet propped up, enjoying a cold drink.
Town Hall: Biden Finally Releases a Statement on the Dock Strike https://t.co/UekqOy1qMJ
— Ian Hansen News 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHansenNews) October 1, 2024
In his infinite wisdom, Biden highlighted that ocean carriers have enjoyed record profits—some reportedly shooting through the roof with increases of over 800 percent since the pandemic. His call to action could easily be mistaken for a fairytale narrative: “Let’s all sit around the campfire and figure this out” while those profits continue to roll in. He seems to think that merely stating these facts in a printed statement will magically mend the situation—news flash: it won’t.
The real kicker is that Biden refuses to utilize the Taft-Hartley Act, legislation designed to keep the wheels of commerce moving during labor disputes. Instead, the administration seems more inclined to listen to the union, which has been accused of some rather unsavory negotiation tactics. The USMX, representing the carriers, has already offered dockworkers a 50 percent raise. Yet somehow, this isn’t good enough. It’s almost as if the union believes that if they yell loudly enough, they’ll somehow bring a treasure chest of cash into existence.
To add a cherry on top of this labor relations sundae, the Longshoremen’s Association head seems to relish the power they wield with their all-too-typical theatrics. With statements suggesting they will “cripple” operations, it’s clear they aren’t interested in a civilized negotiation process. Instead of recompensing the workers who kept the ports alive throughout the global crisis, unions are playing games that could threaten critical supply chains. It’s hard to see how this won’t come back to haunt the very people they claim to defend.
As the saga continues, one thing is clear: while Biden plays political chess, American workers and consumers are left to wonder when common sense will return to the table.
