Observers Raise Concerns Over Dockworkers’ Strike and Potential Political Motives Tied to Trump

Political observers and experts are sounding alarms over the ongoing strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which has seen dockworkers halt their duties at ports along the East and Gulf Coasts. The strike has sparked speculation about whether the union’s leadership may be engaging in economic sabotage to benefit former President Donald Trump.

The United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), representing maritime employers, has offered the ILA salary increases of up to 60% in new contracts. However, the union is demanding even larger wage hikes and the continuation of high fees for handling shipping containers.

According to maritime journalist John Konrad, these fees are so costly that U.S. ports often resort to transporting freight overland at much higher expenses, instead of using secondary barges, which would be more affordable for consumers. Additionally, the ILA is demanding a total ban on new port automation technology, which industry experts warn could undermine the competitiveness of U.S. shipping.

The extreme nature of the union’s demands has led some observers to speculate that the strike may be politically motivated to influence the upcoming presidential election. Philadelphia columnist Will Bunch highlighted the controversy, writing, “This strike is causing heads to explode,” while linking to a New York Post article discussing the considerable wealth of ILA boss Harold Daggett.

Daggett, who has threatened to “cripple” the U.S. economy if his demands are not met, has twice been accused—though cleared—of having ties to organized crime. “Here’s the zealously pro-Trump (but anti-union) New York Post righteously going after the pro-Trump union boss who’s shutting down the economy to help Trump,” Bunch wrote.

Authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat expressed similar concerns, suggesting the strike could be part of a broader strategy to undermine public confidence in democracy. “Economic sabotage to create conditions for the public to think democracy is failing and accept unlawful removal of a progressive government has been part of the right-wing playbook for many decades,” Ben-Ghiat noted, referencing historical instances of such tactics.

Despite these concerns, there is no concrete evidence that Daggett’s labor demands are intended to sway the presidential election. The ILA has not endorsed any candidate, though Daggett was photographed with Trump after the former president survived an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, whose administration has consistently supported pro-labor policies, have expressed backing for the ILA dockworkers and their ongoing negotiations.