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When Will the Dockworker Strike Impact Electronic Supply Chains?

Oct. 2, 2024

The dockworker strike is just starting, but its impact on the supply chain will likely revolve around its duration.

The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) walkout marks the first "coast-wide strike in almost 50 years." The strike affects all of the major ports on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts. Last-minute negotiations failed to yield a new contract and the length of the strike is unknown at this time.

Harold Daggett, head of the ILA union, released a statement: "We are prepared to fight as long as necessary, to stay out on strike for whatever period of time it takes, to get the wages and protections against automation our ILA members deserve."

The strike is against the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) shipping group and it's likely to have a major affect on the supply chain in general, especially finished food. The effect on the electronic supply chain may require more time depending on the duration and the components involved.

COVID had a major impact on the supply chain and many companies adapted theirs to be more robust. Onshoring will also impact how this strike may affect companies.

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More Port Strike Coverage

Electronic Design's parent company Endeavor Business Media has several publications dealing with the impact on the dockworker strike. For more coverage of the work stoppage:

US Dockworkers Launch Strike After Labor Contract Expires, Industry Week examines the impact of the strike and its effect on the supply chain in general.
Steps to Mitigate the Impact of the Dock Strike, MHL News provides some tips on mitigating the impact of the strik.
Dockworker Strike Could Impact Supply Chains, Supply Chain Connect looks into the potential impact of the strike in a story posted before dockworkers walked out.
What could the dockworkers' strike mean to you?, Plastics Machinery and Manufacturing takes a look at the potential impact of the strike.
ABC Urges Biden to Invoke Taft-Hartley Act, Contracting Business considers the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) statement that asks President Biden to invoke the Taft-Hartley Act.
Supply Chain Experts Weigh in on Potential International Longshoreman’s Association Strike, Healthcare Purchasing News Editor-in-Chief Janette Wider looks into how medical and pharmaceutical industries are dealing with the work stoppage.
Implications of Potential Port Strike: Updated, Material Handling & Logistics Senior Editor Adrienne Selko has updated a story from last week about the strike's potential with fresh commentary from supply chain experts.
Reactions, Economic Analysis of Port Strike, Material Handling & Logistics Senior Editor Adrienne Selko's latest story updates her previous coverage with expert commentary.
Tire Imports Could Be Impacted by Strike, Modern Tire Dealer editor Mike Manges looks into how the strike could impact the tire industry.

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About the Author

William G. Wong | Senior Content Director - Electronic Design and Microwaves & RF

I am Editor of Electronic Design focusing on embedded, software, and systems. As Senior Content Director, I also manage Microwaves & RF and I work with a great team of editors to provide engineers, programmers, developers and technical managers with interesting and useful articles and videos on a regular basis. Check out our free newsletters to see the latest content.

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I earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Masters in Computer Science from Rutgers University. I still do a bit of programming using everything from C and C++ to Rust and Ada/SPARK. I do a bit of PHP programming for Drupal websites. I have posted a few Drupal modules.

I still get a hand on software and electronic hardware. Some of this can be found on our Kit Close-Up video series. You can also see me on many of our TechXchange Talk videos. I am interested in a range of projects from robotics to artificial intelligence.