US dockworkers strike will not include work in Puerto Rico

( Spanish) – The longshoremen’s strike announced in the United States for October 1 will not include workers from Puerto Rico, according to a letter sent to its members on Wednesday by the board of directors of the Puerto Rico branch of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA).

The communication, signed by Carlos J. Albertorio, vice president of the ILA Atlantic Coast district in Puerto Rico, indicates that the strike was announced by Harold Daggett, national president of ILA, but that Local 1740, of which they are part, does not belong to that agreement. The strike in the U.S. is expected to begin on October 1 and extend from the states of Maine to Texas, where much of the cargo that enters the docks of Puerto Rico comes from, explains Albertorio.

If completed, it would be the first on the entire US East Coast since 1977, the letter said.

“We urge you to stay informed about national news and make the necessary adjustments at home, given a possible decrease in workload due to the interruption of vessels starting October 1, 2024 as a result of this strike conflict,” Albertorio says in the statement.

“Despite this scenario, the collective agreement between our Local 1740 and the majority of employers in Puerto Rico will be in effect until September 30, 2025. For this reason, we do not foresee the possibility of a work stoppage on the island’s docks, at least, until after this date.”

Albertorio said the strike was announced by Harold Daggett, ILA’s national president, and is expected to begin on October 1 and extend from the states of Maine to Texas.

He also explained that the collective agreement between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United Maritime Alliance (USMX) will expire next Monday, September 30, 2024. The issues in dispute are automation and the defense of union members’ salaries. It was reported that if the strike goes ahead, it would be the first on the entire east coast of the United States since 1977.

“We urge you to stay informed about national news and make the necessary adjustments at home, given a possible decrease in workload due to the interruption of vessels starting October 1, 2024 as a result of this strike conflict,” Albertorio said in the statement.