FOX Business Correspondent Lydia Hu reported an update on the longshoremen’s strike after speaking with Harold J. Daggett, International President of the International Longshoremen’s Association.
The outspoken union leader behind the gridlock at America’s Eastern and Gulf ports last year received a total of $728,000 in salary from the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and a salary from ILA Local 1804-1 in North Bergen, New Jersey. Including his $173,000 salary, he took home more than $900,000. The data shows.
ILA Chairman Harold J. Daggett remains at the center of controversy over the port strike, which threatens to hurt the U.S. economy with shortages and soaring prices if not resolved soon.
Thousands of ILA longshoremen have launched the union’s first strike in nearly 50 years as their six-year contract expires late Tuesday night and an impasse with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX).
Port strike union leader Harold Daggett: What you need to know
Harold J. Daggett, president of the International Longshoremen’s Association, speaks as longshoremen at Maher Terminal in Port Newark go on strike in New Jersey on October 1, 2024. (Brian R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
A condition for reaching an agreement is protection from port automation to prevent potential job losses and increases in compensation.
Mr. Daggett, who was elected ILA President in 2011, is currently serving his fourth term after more than 60 years in the industry.
Speaking to FOX Business’ Lydia Hu on Tuesday, he doubled down on his demands on behalf of the workers he represents.
“It’s been a long time coming,” he said of the strike.
Union leader slams ‘money-mad’ shipping companies for refusing to ‘distribute’ ‘billions’ earned during pandemic
On October 1, 2024, in Miami, Florida, longshoremen at the Port of Miami went on strike near the port entrance, demanding a new labor contract. Officials at 14 ports in the eastern United States and along the Gulf Coast were making last-minute preparations on Sept. 30 for an expected major disaster. (Photo credit: GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
“It was tough back then. [in 1977]. We struck at $0.80. The profits for both companies were only about $5 million to $10 million. Since Corona And they’ve been making billions of dollars since before the coronavirus. That’s a completely different story, but they don’t want to share it. They want a fully automated terminal here on the East Coast to make more money. They are obsessed with money,” he added.
He stressed that unions are fighting for jurisdiction, health, wages and more.
Daggett was also named president emeritus of ILA Local 1804-1, where he served for 14 years until resigning in 2011, from which he still receives a salary.
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Congressman Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) discusses the impact of a potential port strike on “Evening Edit.”
FOX Business’ Breck Dumas contributed to this report.
