Cargo Standstill at Port of Baltimore as Longshoremen Strike

Cargo traffic at the Port of Baltimore screeched to a halt Oct. 16 as International Longshoremen Association union workers went on strike, according to press reports. The Baltimore Sun reported that all cargo at the port is affected, and no ships are being worked on (here). Fox Baltimore said all services at the port have been suspended except for mail, which cannot be affected during a strike (here).

CBS Baltimore attributed the strike to the lack of a labor contract with longshoremen since 2010 (here). “Wages and job security are at issue,” the report said. Baltimore-based WBAL quoted James White, executive director at the Port of Baltimore, that the dispute will go to “expedited arbitration” on Oct. 16 through the international longshoremen’s union (here). White said ships are not being redirected, and they are being unloaded as staffing might allow, the report said.