‘Distress, hurt, and harm’: US President-elect Trump joins union fight, criticises automation’s impact on dockworkers – Times of India

US President-elect Donald Trump, backing the 45,000 union dockworkers from the East and Gulf Coasts who are in a labour dispute regarding automation, said that the amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for Longshoremen.
The negotiations between the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) employer group must conclude by January 15, just before Trump’s inauguration. The talks have reached a deadlock over automation implementation.
Whilst the ILA contends that automation eliminates employment opportunities, employers maintain it is essential for US ports to remain competitive globally.
On Truth Social, Trump after meeting Harold Daggett, the International Longshoremen’s Association union leader, on Thursday said: “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen.”

Following a three-day strike, both parties reached an agreement on October 3, resulting in a 62% wage increase over six years, facilitated by the White House and Biden administration officials.
Trump noted that employers, including the US operations of Switzerland’s Mediterranean Shipping Company, Denmark’s Maersk and China’s COSCO Shipping, have achieved record profits through access to US markets, as per Reuters.
“Foreign companies have made a fortune in the US by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt. They’ve got record profits, and I’d rather these foreign companies spend it on the great men and women on our docks, than machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced,” Trump said.
He further stated, ” In the end, there’s no gain for them, and I hope that they will understand how important an issue this is for me. For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries. It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!”
USMX responded with a statement: “It’s clear President-elect Trump, USMX, and the ILA all share the goal of protecting and adding good-paying American jobs at our ports.”
The employers emphasised the necessity of modern technology for worker safety, port efficiency, capacity enhancement and supply chain strengthening, noting that increased port activity results in higher earnings for dockworkers.