US President Donald Trump has been in the spotlight for his support of dockworkers who are battling their employers over the introduction of automation technology in ports.
Trump’s stance
According to a recent article in American Shipper, Trump posted on Tours Social after speaking with ILA President Harold Daggett, saying that ‘port employers should abandon automation and hire more workers.’
Trump was suggesting that port employers should hire more workers instead of adopting automation technology.
He added that while he recognises the benefits of automating the ports, they ‘pale in comparison to the damage done to workers when they’re out of work.’Trump originally said he would not intervene in the ILA’s strike, but appears to have changed his mind after realising the seriousness of the issue.
Labour and management face off
The two sides have agreed to renegotiate on 15 January next year.
However, talks between USMX and the employers broke down in early November over the rejection of semi-automated container cranes, as they believe they will eliminate jobs.
However, employers at the port argue that automation is a necessary condition to increase container volumes and that it will create more jobs, not fewer.