Dockworkers Strike Poised To Hit New Yorkers Hard

For the first time in more than 40 years, thousands of American workers tasked with keeping the national supply chain moving have gone on strike. That strike is impacting seaports along the east and Gulf coast regions and halting sea shipping traffic for half of the country.

According to the Associated Press, this strike is poised to cause supply shortages and spike inflation around North America as workers demand better wages and other concessions from companies that operate the nation's ports.

Boston University breaks down the underlying issues the longshoremen have and what has caused them to strike. Union workers in the 39 ports from Maine to Texas make approximately $39 per hour after being on the job for at least six years, which is quite a bit less than workers on the West Coast, who earn nearly $55 per hour.

With the shipping industry making record profits since the pandemic, many analysts believe that dockworkers have the advantage when requesting a larger share of the pie.

READ MORE: Strike Could Cause Toilet Paper Shortage In New York

With 50% of America's shipping traffic on hold, areas all over the United States will start running into shortages of goods. Those goods run from automobiles and mechanical parts to toilet paper, fruit, coffee, and other products.

According to the Buffalo News, the ban will have an almost immediate impact on some food products, such as bananas, with more than 75% of bananas consumed in America coming from overseas.

With New Yorkers spending more for food and goods than the national average, people in the Empire State can little afford for shortages to drive these prices up.

While the strike is expected to cause financial losses of around $4 billion in economic activity per day, Governor Hochul says that New Yorkers shouldn't worry about supply shortages in these first few days. However, if this strike drags on for a couple of days, New Yorkers and other Americans should start worrying.