How much do port workers earn? What you should know about wages during the ILA port strike

Nearly 25,000 longshoremen at various ports on the East and Gulf Coasts are striking to demand higher wages and protection from the elimination of their jobs due to automation.

On Tuesday, members of the International Longshoremen's Association walked off the job, marking the first strike of its kind in nearly 50 years. In a social media post, union president Harold Daggett said the union is fighting for “the kind of wages we deserve.”

In a statement Monday, the union accused the United States Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies, of continuing to block an agreement that would end the strike.

“The shipping companies represented by USMX want to enjoy the whopping billions in profits they will make in 2024 while offering ILA Longshore workers an unacceptable wage package that we reject,” the statement said.

While there are striking workers at 14 ports on the East and Gulf Coasts, West Coast ports are not affected because another union represents their workers. As early as 2023, the West Coast union was negotiating wage increases for its employees.

What do dock workers do? What wages do they propose?

Wages negotiated by the West Coast Longshoremen's Union are one of the reasons for the current strike. ILA workers earn significantly less than their colleagues.

The ILA contract, which expired on Monday, shows that the starting wage for longshoremen was $20 an hour. The salary increases to $24.75 after two years, $31.90 after three years, and $39 for employees who have served at least six years.

Meanwhile, the ILA is asking for a 77% increase over the life of the contract, with a $5 increase for each year of the contract. Workers would earn $44 in the first year, $49 in the second and up to $69 in the final year.

In recent days, the US Maritime Alliance proposed a smaller increase of almost 50%, which the ILA rejected.

“They may be asking for a significant increase, but they conveniently ignore the fact that many of our members operate millions of dollars worth of container handling equipment for as little as $20 an hour. In some states, the minimum wage is already $15,” the ILA said.

The current top wage is about $81,000 a year, but a report from the New York Harbor Waterfront Commission found about a third of local longshoremen earned $200,000 or more a year.

However, this pay can come with extreme working hours. ILA President Harold Daggett told the Associated Press that many of the high-earning workers work up to 100 hours a week.

“Our members don’t work typical 9-to-5 jobs; They work extraordinary hours and sacrifice time with their families. Our position is firm: we believe in the value that our incredible rank-and-file members bring to this industry and our great nation,” the ILA said in a statement.

According to the US Bureau of Labor, the average US salary was about $59,000 in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a featured news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Port strike: How much do port workers earn? What you should know about wages