Harold Daggett, president of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), claims to be a champion for the working man, but his actions and demands show him for what he really is: a hypocrite. While he flaunts his millionaire lifestyle with Bentleys and yachts, Daggett is leading a strike that threatens to cripple America’s economy at the worst possible time.
Outrageous Demands to Cripple the Nation
Daggett’s demands are absurd, plain and simple. A 77% wage increase over six years? Who else gets that kind of pay raise in the real world? It’s laughable. Let’s not forget, the ILA already has protections against automation in their current contract. So, what are they really after? It’s a blatant power grab disguised as worker protection. Their refusal to negotiate in good faith, coupled with these ridiculous demands, is nothing but an attempt to line their own pockets at the expense of American businesses and consumers.
And what’s worse? They want to ban automation at U.S. ports. That’s like asking the country to go back to using horses and buggies. The future is automation, and trying to halt it is a death sentence for America’s ports in the long run. We’re already behind in global competition, and Daggett wants to drag us even further back.
The Impact: $5 Billion a Day in Economic Devastation
If this strike proceeds, the consequences could be devastating. Experts estimate that the strike could cost the economy up to $5 billion a day, and $7 billion in GDP per week. That’s money we can’t afford to lose, especially in an already fragile economic climate. Our supply chains are stretched thin as it is, and this strike will push them to the breaking point.
Let’s not forget the agricultural exports that flow through these ports. Farmers in the heartland will suffer as their crops rot on the docks. Fruit, produce, poultry—these are essential products that Americans rely on. A prolonged strike could leave store shelves empty, and prices will skyrocket. This is what Daggett and his millionaire union cronies are threatening. All in the name of greed.
Biden’s Inaction: Too Afraid to Cross the Unions
What does President Biden have to say about this impending disaster? Nothing. When asked if he would intervene, his answer was a simple “no.” Why? Because he doesn’t want to upset his union backers. It’s a disgrace. Biden has the power to stop this strike and force both sides back to the negotiating table, but he’s too busy playing politics to care about the damage being done to ordinary Americans.
This is the problem with unions today. They claim to fight for the working class, but in reality, they’re just protecting the interests of a few fat cats at the top like Daggett. Meanwhile, the rest of us are left paying the price—higher prices at the store, longer wait times for essential goods, and a weaker economy overall.
Unions Stalling Progress: No to Automation? No to the Future
Here’s the real kicker: the ILA’s stubborn refusal to embrace automation is a slap in the face to progress. We live in an era where artificial intelligence and automation are driving productivity and efficiency. Ports across the world are adopting new technologies to stay competitive, and yet Daggett wants to dig his heels in and block progress. This isn’t just short-sighted—it’s downright dangerous for America’s future.
If we don’t modernize our ports, our adversaries—China, for instance—will continue to gain ground, leaving us in the dust. We need to embrace automation, not fear it. But unions like the ILA see automation as a threat, not because it would harm workers, but because it would expose their inefficiency. The truth is, the future doesn’t need more overpaid union bosses clinging to outdated systems.
Final Thoughts: Time to Stand Up
This strike is a disaster waiting to happen. Harold Daggett is holding the country hostage with outrageous demands, and President Biden is letting him get away with it. We can’t afford to sit by while unions drag us into the past. It’s time for real leadership, and that starts with putting Daggett and his millionaire buddies in their place.
Automation is the future, and America’s ports need to get on board—or get left behind. This strike isn’t about protecting workers. It’s about protecting the power and wealth of a few at the top, and the rest of us are paying the price.
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JIMMY
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