A recent statement by one of Vice President Kamala Harris’ surrogates is causing waves as labor unrest threatens to derail the U.S. economy just ahead of the 2024 election. The claim suggests Harold Daggett, head of the powerful International Longshoremen's Association (ILA), is a Trump supporter who may want to disrupt the economy as part of a wider political strategy. Daggett, known for his fiery rhetoric and pro-worker stance, is leading dockworkers along the East and Gulf coasts in a tense standoff that could result in a crippling strike.
The looming strike could be a nightmare scenario for the Biden-Harris administration. With ports spanning from New York to Houston, responsible for over half of U.S. port capacity, the strike would unleash massive supply chain disruptions. Essential goods, from automobiles to holiday merchandise, could be delayed, affecting consumers nationwide. Harris has positioned herself as a champion of the working class, but this labor dispute could force her to navigate a precarious balancing act between labor and economic stability.
Here's the union president leading the dockworkers' strike 5 weeks before the election. pic.twitter.com/lIFDjURDgC
— 🇺🇦 Devin Nunes' Cattle Dog 🇺🇦 (@Kaos_Vs_Control) October 1, 2024
Daggett, who has led the ILA since 2011, is a formidable force in the labor movement. He has a history of clashing with Democrats over automation in the shipping industry, which he claims would eliminate thousands of union jobs. His union represents roughly 45,000 workers, and they are demanding significant wage hikes and guarantees that automation won’t erode their workforce. While some claim Daggett’s demands for a 60% wage increase are outlandish, Daggett is digging in, and a strike could be imminent unless his terms are met.
However, political insiders are pointing to Daggett's alleged affinity for former President Donald Trump as a possible motivation for escalating the labor dispute. The timing is key—disrupting trade just before the 2024 election could potentially tilt the economy into chaos, hurting Harris’s presidential campaign and benefiting Trump. Former President Trump, who has previously hinted at supporting strikes in his public comments, could seize on the economic fallout to further his argument that the Biden administration has mismanaged the economy.
A photo of Harold Daggett, president of the striking longshoremen's union, with Donald Trump circulated as dockworkers walked off the job Tuesday.
Source: USA TODAY https://t.co/saBqrRIYbw
— Pattie Schultz (@EverydayGene) October 3, 2024
The Biden administration has urged both sides to return to the negotiating table, but the White House has made it clear they won’t intervene with executive action, unlike previous efforts to avoid rail and airline strikes under Biden. Some labor insiders are concerned that Harris’ pro-union stance may erode if the administration feels compelled to broker a deal that dilutes the union’s demands.
The potential strike is not just a political flashpoint for Harris. It’s also an opportunity for Trump to exploit growing frustrations among blue-collar workers, many of whom feel abandoned by the Democratic Party’s focus on automation and tech-friendly policies. While traditionally, Democrats have enjoyed union support, Trump’s outreach to rank-and-file union members has started to pay off in key swing states, further complicating Harris’s economic pitch.
The economic impact of a strike could be devastating. Daily losses from port shutdowns could range from $1 billion to $5 billion, depending on how long the strike lasts. Some industries have already begun diverting shipments to the West Coast to mitigate potential delays, but a long-term strike could raise prices for goods across the board. This would likely worsen inflation and create more headaches for consumers already struggling with high costs of living.
As the deadline for a potential strike draws nearer, Harris and her team must find a way to thread the needle between supporting union labor and avoiding economic fallout. Whether Daggett’s role as a purported “Trump guy” will influence the outcome remains to be seen, but the stakes could not be higher for both Harris and the nation as a whole.
