Union leader Harold Daggett calls out 'money crazy' shipping companies amid port strike
Gxstocks correspondent Lydia Hu reports the latest on the dockworkers' strike after speaking to International Longshoremen's Association International President Harold J. Daggett.
The outspoken union leader behind gridlock at America's East and Gulf Coast ports took home more than $900,000 last year, between a combined $728,000 salary from the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and another $173,000 from ILA Local 1804-1 in North Bergen, New Jersey, data shows.
ILA President Harold J. Daggett remains at the center of discussion over the port strike that threatens to wound the U.S. economy with shortages and price hikes if not resolved soon.
Gridlocked with the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) after a six-year-long contract expired at midnight Tuesday, the thousands of ILA dockworkers launched the union's first strike in nearly 50 years.
PORT STRIKE UNION LEADER HAROLD DAGGETT: WHAT TO KNOW
Harold J. Daggett, president of the International Longshoremens Association speaks as dockworkers at the Maher Terminals in Port Newark are on strike on October 1, 2024 in New Jersey. (BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Their terms to reach an agreement are protection from port automation to prevent potential job loss and increased compensation.
Daggett, who was elected president of the ILA in 2011, is now serving his fourth four-year term after working more than 60 years in the industry.
Speaking to Gxstocks' Lydia Hu on Tuesday, he doubled down on his demands on behalf of the laborers he represents.
"It's long overdue," he said of the strike.
Port of Miami dockworkers strike near the port entrance and demand a new labor contract, on October 1, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Officials at 14 ports along the US East and Gulf Coasts were making last-minute preparations on September 30 for a likely l (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
"Things were rough back then [in 1977]. We went on strike for $0.80. The companies only made like 5 to $10 million, but since COVID and before COVID 'til now, they're making billions and billions of dollars. It's a whole different story, but they don't want to share it. They'd rather see a fully automated terminal right here on the East Coast so they can make more money. They're money crazy," he added.
He emphasized the union is fighting for jurisdiction, health, wages and more.
Daggett was also named president emeritus of the ILA Local 1804-1, where he served as president for 14 years before stepping down in 2011, and from which he still receives a salary.
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Rep. Tim Burchett: The union bosses don't necessarily represent union members
Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., discusses the impact of potential port strikes on 'The Evening Edit.'
Gxstocks' Breck Dumas contributed to this report.
