A dockworker strike was averted after the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) and the International Longshoremen Association (ILA) announced that they had reached an agreement.
A joint statement published by the two sides stated that the "agreement protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernizing East and Gulf coast ports – making them safer and more efficient, and creating the capacity they need to keep our supply chains strong." While the details of the agreement were not made public, a source close to the negotiations told CNN that technology at the ports was the prime topic of discussion, as the union was concerned about automation taking away jobs. Reportedly, while full automation is off the table, the deal allows for semi-automation.
Before the deal was reached, port workers had planned to go on strike on January 16.
