SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) — Dockworkers from 36 ports ranging from Texas to Maine went on strike Tuesday over wages.
The contract between the ports and about 45,000 members from the International Longshoremen’s Association expired at midnight on Tuesday. The strike is the first since 1977 for the union.
The strike will likely have an immediate impact on food imports but New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is urging residents not to panic.
“We do not anticipate shortages of essential goods anytime soon. So, for example, people do not need to rush out to the grocery store and stockpile goods like they did during the pandemic,” Hochul said.
However, supply chain experts say if the strike lasts for more than a few weeks the nation’s supply chain could suffer, potentially causing higher prices and delays.