Staff Reports
President Joe Biden recently unveiled a monumental $17 billion investment aimed at revitalizing U.S. ports as part of his massive infrastructure plan. While this may sound like a savvy move to strengthen supply chains, the reality is far murkier, as the president panders to unions that are staunchly opposed to automation. This duplicity raises eyebrows regarding just how much good this investment might actually do for efficiency—especially when union factions insist on keeping things stuck in the past.
Although the infrastructure bill is branded as a game-changer, a deep dive reveals that much of the funding is tied up in union-favorable stipulations that strictly limit technological upgrades. In fact, the longshoremen’s union is outright demanding a halt to any push for automation or modernization at ports, which could significantly enhance productivity. Instead of embracing the future as a business-savvy leader should, Biden has adopted a wait-and-see approach, warmly clutching the hands of unions blocking necessary progress.
https://t.co/LElEfs2kqu
Biden infrastructure law gave billions to upgrade ports, now striking unions want to stop automation
The discrepancy between the priorities of Biden’s infrastructure spending and his support for the labor union leading the strikes raises concerns about the…— woundsrus (@woundsrus19) October 3, 2024
This doesn’t just pose a problem for taxpayers who might expect a return on their investment, it sends a clear message: the president seems more interested in placating special interest groups than genuinely modernizing infrastructure. Critics, including high-profile voices from the National Taxpayers Union, argue that if union demands for halting automation are met, taxpayers should receive an equally loud and clear refund—a point that isn’t falling on deaf ears.
The back-and-forth with the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) only complicates things further. While the ILA seemingly supported Biden’s infrastructure initiative initially, they’re now leveraging their clout to block any form of innovation that could threaten their jobs. Ironically, as the Biden administration boasts their plans to modernize ports, it appears they are setting up a system where upgrades could be rendered ineffective because they can’t touch the tools needed to raise the bar.
U.S. ports are already lagging in global rankings, routinely falling short against more advanced systems in Asia and Europe. The largest U.S. port, Charleston, barely squeezes into the top 53, while automated terminals in California have proven to be significantly more efficient, achieving much higher throughput than their non-automated counterparts. It’s dizzying to think that unions could block such advancements, all while claiming to support job security.
As the ILA continues its strike, holding out for demands like a 70 percent pay increase and a request to shield jobs from automation, it’s clear Biden is caught in a political quagmire—one that is likely to jeopardize the economy as the elections loom large and the holiday season approaches. Biden’s silence on the matter, despite industry outcry to intervene, simply signals a capitulation to union pressure at the expense of the greater economic good, assuring that American competitiveness will remain under lock and key for the foreseeable future.
