President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris celebrated the news that the International Longshoremen’s Association union had temporarily suspended their strike until after the election.
The union ended their three-day strike until January 15 after reaching a temporary agreement with the US Maritime Alliance.
According to reports, the port employers offered their workers to increase wages by 62 percent, which helped to reach a ‘tentative agreement’.
Biden spoke to reporters after returning to the White House from Georgia on Thursday evening, but he was cautious.
“They have the next 90 days to sort everything out,” he said. “With the grace of God and the goodwill of the neighbors, it will hold.”
President Joe Biden talks to reporters upon his arrival at the White House in Washington
The White House worked behind the scenes to end the strike because the closure of port operations threatened the economy and the cost of food and goods in the United States, an issue that was particularly dangerous for the Democrats in an election year.
In a statement from the White House, Biden praised the news.
“Collective bargaining works, and it is critical to building a stronger economy, from the middle to the grassroots,” he said.
Vice President Kamala Harris also celebrated the news in a statement.
Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris
Workers participate in a port strike at Port Newark, Tuesday, October 1, 2024, in Bayonne, NJ
“This step signals progress toward a strong contract and represents the power of collective bargaining,” she said.
Harris also reiterated her support for the dockworkers who forced a temporary pause in the strike.
“As I’ve said, this is about fairness – and our economy works best when workers share in record profits,” she wrote.