45K port workers across the East Coast go on strike as of Tuesday [Video]

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC/AP) – Roughly 45,000 port workers across the East Coast started walking picket lines early Tuesday morning after stalled negotiations between the U.S. Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen’s Association.

Negotiations between the maritime alliance and union representatives were first suspended on June 11 after disputes over automation at the Port of Mobile, Alabama, according to an ILA news release.

Two main points that ILA leadership is pushing for in a new Master Contract is a better wage package and protections against automation.

The U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents the ports, said Monday evening that both sides had moved off of their previous wage offers, but when picket lines went up just after midnight, it was apparent that no deal had been reached.

The union’s opening offer in the talks was for a 77% pay raise over the six-year life of the contract, with President Harold Daggett saying it’s necessary to make up for …