Nearly 50,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), including dockworkers at the Port of Baltimore, began a strike shortly after midnight on Tuesday. This action comes just six months after the tragic Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.

The strike follows unsuccessful last-minute negotiations with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, resulting in the closure of 36 ports responsible for handling almost half of the nation’s maritime trade. This widespread shutdown could significantly impact the U.S. supply chain, potentially leading to increased prices and shipping delays for consumers.

ILA’s International President emphasized that union members refuse to accept what they consider insulting offers, stating that workers are well aware of the profits generated by their employers. In response, the U.S. Maritime Alliance has filed an unfair labor practice claim against the union.

The strike’s timing is particularly challenging for the Port of Baltimore, where operations were just beginning to approach pre-Key Bridge collapse levels. The port’s recovery efforts now face a new setback as workers join their colleagues across the East Coast and Gulf regions on the picket line.

As negotiations continue, both sides remain at odds, leaving the future of port operations and their impact on the national economy uncertain.