The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) port strike has been a major headline this week, causing significant disruptions to supply chains along the East and Gulf coasts. FreightWaves has gathered extensive information to answer common questions about this situation.

**Why did this strike happen?**
The ILA initiated the strike after union dockworkers and their employers, represented by the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), failed to reach an agreement on a new master contract. The ILA's demands include a substantial wage increase, a higher starting wage, premium healthcare benefits, and job security against the threat of automation.

**Which ports are affected?**
The ILA strike impacts 14 container ports along the East and Gulf coasts. This includes three of the five busiest ports in the U.S.: the Port of New York and New Jersey, the Port of Savannah, Georgia, and the Port of Houston.

The master contract governs containerized and roll-on/roll-off (ro/ro) cargo handled at U.S. ports from Maine to Texas. The strike primarily affects the 14 East and Gulf Coast ports where USMX members employ ILA members. These ports are:

* Boston
* New York and New Jersey
* Philadelphia
* Baltimore
* Norfolk, Virginia
* Wilmington, North Carolina
* Charleston, South Carolina
* Savannah
* Jacksonville, Miami, and Tampa, Florida
* Mobile, Alabama
* New Orleans
* Houston

**When did contract negotiations begin?**
Negotiations for the new contract commenced last February and have been ongoing.