The long anticipated East and Gulf Coast longshoremen strike has begun, impacting ports that account for more than half of the nation’s container imports. Dockworkers walked off the job at 12 a.m, seeking a big increase in pay as their last contract expired. 

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) confirmed the union’s first coast-wide strike in nearly 50 years was underway. ILA President Harold Daggett stated “we are prepared to fight as long as necessary, to stay out on strike for whatever period of time it takes, to get the wages and protections against automation our ILA members deserve,”

For the first time since 1977, 36 ports stretching from strategic seaboard locations as far north as Maine and as far south as Texas – all of which handle an aggregate $3 trillion in the country’s annual international trade – will be idle due to the work stoppage.

The United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), the umbrella group representing the managers of the ports, sought to avert a strike at the last minute late on Monday night – offering a 50% wage hike over six years.

But the ILA rejected the offer, though Port ownership hoped that the offer would lead to renewed talks between the two sides. Before Monday, it had been weeks since both sides sat down to talk about a new contract.

Supply chain experts say consumers won’t see an immediate impact from the strike because most retailers stocked up on goods, moving ahead shipments of holiday gift items.

But if the work stoppage goes more than a few weeks, it would significantly snarl the nation’s supply chain, potentially leading to higher prices and delays in goods reaching households and businesses.