On social media, several claims urge people to ‘panic buy’ supplies that could become difficult to find if major ports from Texas to Maine are forced to shut down.
HOUSTON — In the comments of several videos on TikTok people want to know what supplies they should stock up on if the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) cannot reach a deal before the current labor contract ends on Sept. 30. It’s been more than four decades since the union went on strike along the Gulf and East Coast. The KHOU 11 Verify Team found that the strike in 1977 ended after 45 days, netting workers an additional 80 cents per hour over three years.
A viewer wants to know if ports are preparing people for a shortage of imported supplies.
THE QUESTION
Are Gulf & East Coast ports alerting the public about the potential impacts of a dockworkers’ strike?
THE SOURCES
THE ANSWER
Yes, Gulf and East Coast ports are alerting the …