Meet Harold Daggett, the Union Leader Behind the Ports Strike
Published On Oct 3, 2024, 8:23 AM
Harold Daggett, president of the International Longshoremen’s Association, is leading a significant strike that has halted operations at East and Gulf Coast ports, impacting around 45,000 union members. The strike is driven by demands for a substantial 61.5% wage increase over six years and restrictions on automation in port operations. This disruption threatens about 60% of container-based U.S. trade, amounting to $600 billion in imports, and underscores organized labor's growing influence in the current economic climate. Daggett emphasizes the critical role of longshoremen in the U.S. economy, asserting that without their labor, the market would severely suffer.