Harold J. Daggett, president of the International Longshoremen's Association (Photo by Bryan R. ... [ ] SMITH / AFP) (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images)

Thousands of longshoremen and dockworkers along the Eastern seaboard of the United States and the Gulf Coast walked off the job on Tuesday after the International Longshoremen's Association failed to reach contract agreements with the United States Maritime Alliance, which represents the ports.

The ILA's initial proposal was for a 77% salary increase over the six-year duration of their contract with USMX, as well as a complete ban on the automation of gates, cranes and container-moving trucks at its ports. These union members earn a base salary of approximately $81,000 each year; however, those who work significant overtime can earn more than $200,000 annually, the Associated Press reported.

To avert the strike, the shipping industry group offered a nearly 50% wage hike on Monday and committed to maintaining the automation restrictions from the previous contract, but the union rejected the deal as it would not protect the workforce from semi-automation.

“The ILA is steadfastly against any form of automation—full or semi—that replaces jobs or historical work functions,” the largest union of maritime workers in North America said in a........

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