Staff Reports
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin made it clear that the ongoing dockworkers’ strike is no laughing matter—not that anyone would expect him to start cracking jokes while critical ports are sitting idle. As major disruptions are causing chaos along the East and Gulf coasts, including Virginia’s own dock, Youngkin has called on President Biden to step up and take action. According to him, this situation demands serious leadership, and thankfully, the White House has all the tools they need to fix it—specifically, the Taft-Hartley Act, which would allow intervention to get those containers moving again.
The strike began at 12:01 AM—because apparently, convenience for union folks takes precedence over our economy—and it followed the expiration of a six-year contract between the United States Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). With 36 ports affected and about 45,000 dockworkers involved, it seems striking has become their favorite team sport during an election year. The Port of Virginia, the sixth largest container port in the United States, stands at the heart of the chaos, putting a serious dent in the state’s economy.
Youngkin emphasized that the Port of Virginia directly employs over 450 people, which doesn’t include the 2,600 longshoremen or the roughly equal number of truckers who depend on it. The port isn’t just a local hub either. It manages an astonishing $66 billion in imports, with 60% headed outside Virginia. This disruption isn’t merely a local inconvenience; it’s an economic catastrophe waiting to unfold, and it shines a spotlight on the consequences of union power unchecked.
In a last-ditch effort to prevent prolonged chaos, Youngkin penned a letter to both President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. His message was simple: they must use every inch of their authority to get these parties back to the negotiating table. It’s astonishing that a governor has to remind the President of the United States that sometimes, intervention is just good governance.
Washington Examiner: Youngkin calls on federal government to resolve port strike https://t.co/97gmmFfxKD
— Ian Hansen News 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHansenNews) October 2, 2024
Meanwhile, the Port of Baltimore—a neighbor to the north practicing its own flavor of union antics—has joined the ranks of strikers after what was likely an unceremonious recovery from a previous disaster. And what’s the response from Maryland’s Port Administration? They simply hope for “peaceful demonstrations” and to see both sides resolve the issue. One has to wonder if they have a crystal ball, because it’s clear that their wishful thinking hasn’t exactly translated into action.
While Youngkin takes a stand for the state and the economy, one has to question whether the Biden administration will even bother to take the wheel. With an economy already teetering on the edge, the American public doesn’t need any more obstacles. Perhaps it’s time for some decisive action and leadership in the ports—and it’s looking like only one party is willing to drive that point home.
