Heads up on this story if you have not been following.
This port worker strike is set to begin at midnight tonight. If it lasts more than a few days, the effects will be significant on inventories across the country.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/09/30/port-strike-what-to-expect/
-J.
The story says Biden may have to step in on this one. Nothing to worry about. Its in good hands now 
Is he even the current president???? Then again was he ever the one making decisions ?????
Great. Now there will be a run on everything again.
The story says Biden may have to step in on this one
With 37 days until election day, the DFL (Democrat-Farmer-LABOR) does not want to tick off one of the largest labor unions in the country. Also one of it’s biggest source of campaign funding.
I read that every day the strike is on, there will be 3-5 days of backlog to catch up on when it ends.
Really don’t want this post to go political. Just something to seriously consider if there are any durable goods that your household cannot go without. Time to stock up.
Could get messy quick. And take a while to recover from.
-J.
Biden was vacationing in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware all weekend, and Kamala was in San Fran & Vegas doing fundraisers, so I’m sure whoever is running the country has a pulse on this and the flooding from Hurricane Helene throughout the southeast.
Good to know. Thanks Jon.
So average pay for a longshoreman is what 35$ an hour? Seems pretty good for retail work. I bet theres a few retail logistics workers with a forklift certificate that would snatch those jobs right up.
Free market capitalism is about to show how aggressive it can be. If this becomes a staredown, I’m betting the workers get most of their “wants” met. There’s an incredible amount of negotiating leverage on the part of those 25,000 workers in the East Coast Ports:
-Their equal counterparts on the West Coast are averaging close to $20 per hour MORE in wages
-Each day the ports in the East are closed will take an estimated 6 days to correct/recover from.
-The ~25,000 workers who strike could leave another 75,000 people without work due to how closely they work with the ports
Ruthless politicans on both sides will exploit this all for politcal gain while watching people take the brunt of it. The GOP will welcome and cheer for chaos under Dem leadership at this point, while Dem leaders will be pressured to take a pro-union stance to assure their voting allegiance as well. Regardless of who you vote for or support, don’t forget that most of them are nothing like you or I and wouldn’t walk across the street to help you with anything. This scenario will show that and then some.
Negotiators have not sat down and talked since June. Really don’t see how this turns out well…. 
-J.
Ruthless politicans on both sides will exploit this all for politcal gain while watching people take the brunt of it. The GOP will welcome and cheer for chaos under Dem leadership at this point, while Dem leaders will be pressured to take a pro-union stance to assure their voting allegiance as well. Regardless of who you vote for or support, don’t forget that most of them are nothing like you or I and wouldn’t walk across the street to help you with anything. This scenario will show that and then some.
“The forest was shrinking but the trees kept voting for the axe, for the axe was clever and convinced the trees that because his handle was made of wood he was one of them.”
“The forest was shrinking but the trees kept voting for the axe, for the axe was clever and convinced the trees that because his handle was made of wood he was one of them.”
Reminds me of a GREAT song – “The Trees” by Rush. Take a listen, it’s very apropos to this discussion!
People seem to overestimate the intelligence of trees.
So average pay for a longshoreman is what 35$ an hour? Seems pretty good for retail work. I bet theres a few retail logistics workers with a forklift certificate that would snatch those jobs right up.
You have to look deeper than surface level when comparing wages across regions.
$35 an hour for a longshoreman living in NYC, Boston, or Miami is a far cry from someone who lives in the Midwest making $35 an hour.
A quick search shows that the cost of living in these port cities and surrounding areas is at a bare minimum 200% of that here in rural Minnesota. In simpler terms, that $35 an hour in those cities is the equivalent of making $17-18 an hour here in rural MN.
***I’m not arguing wages or wading into what someone else’s job is or isn’t worth…just adding perspective to what wages in different areas mean
I sent my wife to stock up on toilet paper today.
Sorry, hit the wrong box. That’s for your post RiverRat
I read this evening that the two sides agreed to go back to the negotiating table immediately. Hopefully a solution is found soon.
Biden was vacationing in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware all weekend, and Kamala was in San Fran & Vegas doing fundraisers, so I’m sure whoever is running the country has a pulse on this and the flooding from Hurricane Helene throughout the southeast.
Kind of like when Trump went golfing twice during Hurricane Dorian (cat 5), eh?
Dorian (cat 5)
I’m not sure that I’ve ever even heard of a Category 5.
Anyways, has everyone stormed Costco for 2 years worth of TP yet?
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Isn’t TP produced domestically?
I could see this affecting crop exports once that gets going in full swing. Much of the soybeans and corn ends up on a barge heading down river to the Gulf of Mexico, and then is shipped internationally.
Isn’t TP produced domestically?
I could see this affecting crop exports once that gets going in full swing. Much of the soybeans and corn ends up on a barge heading down river to the Gulf of Mexico, and then is shipped internationally.
Yes, but never underestimate the sheer stupidity of the American consumer and spreading panic.
The title “Got TP” was simply a metaphor for an anticipated supply chain stoppage. 
-J.
So do you think there will be a big run on ammo again then too? Ammo seems to be in pretty good supply right now. Every retailer has a good selection of various calibers and shot shells lined up.
Kind of like when Trump went golfing twice during Hurricane Dorian (cat 5), eh?
Not really, whether he was right, wrong or indifferent we knew who was in charge and responsible for the federal response to Dorian. Any idea who is in charge now? I think most of America would like to know.
So do you think there will be a big run on ammo again then too? Ammo seems to be in pretty good supply right now. Every retailer has a good selection of various calibers and shot shells lined up.
I doubt it, but it doesn’t go bad either…
I could see this affecting crop exports
I suppose that is possible. However, I don’t see much apatite from other shippers to cross union lines.
This will immediately affect imports to the tune of 5 billion a day.
‘I will cripple you’: Port union vows to shut down U.S. economy with strike.
-J.
As far as ammo goes…. I hope there are no IDO’ers short on ammo after covid. Hope most of us would make the evening news with our stashes??? 
-J.
Yes, but never underestimate the sheer stupidity of the American consumer and spreading panic.
George Carlin said it best, “Think how stupid the average person is and realize that half of them are stupider than that.”
Carlin also said “When you’re born you get a ticket to the freak show. When you’re born in America, you get a front row seat.” Applies in so many ways…
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>BigWerm wrote:</div>
Biden was vacationing in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware all weekend, and Kamala was in San Fran & Vegas doing fundraisers, so I’m sure whoever is running the country has a pulse on this and the flooding from Hurricane Helene throughout the southeast.Kind of like when Trump went golfing twice during Hurricane Dorian (cat 5), eh?
as opposed to the beach laying 7 handicapper ?!!!!!!!
Yes, but never underestimate the sheer stupidity of the American consumer and spreading panic.
Interesting but my wife got a panic call from he aunt who is in her 80’s, about a “strike” get your TP and paper towels. I looked it up, not going to affect paper product but was at Costco and bought some, not because I am worried but it ends the need to have to explain.
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