The Great Container Standoff

The world's economy is holding its breath as a strike by nearly 50,000 dock workers on the East and Gulf Coasts threatens to disrupt global trade. At the helm of this labor dispute is Harold Daggett, a 78-year-old union boss with a reputation for being tough but fair. Daggett has been leading the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) for decades, guiding his members through strikes and negotiations that have shaped the industry. Born in 1944, he joined the ILA straight from serving in Vietnam, where he saw firsthand the impact of labor struggles on workers' lives. As the strike enters its second week, shipping companies are bracing for a potentially disastrous outcome. With record profits of over $400 billion since 2020, they may be willing to do whatever it takes to keep cargo moving – but at what cost? The ILA is seeking a significant pay increase, arguing that its members' wages have not kept pace with inflation. The current contract would raise top hourly pay by 77% over six years, bringing the annual wage to $5 an hour. This may seem like a modest demand, but for workers who are often on their feet for long hours and face hazardous conditions, it's a vital increase.