(PatriotNews.net) – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered the National Guard to intervene in a union strike that’s affecting key ports on the Gulf Coast. On Thursday, DeSantis made the announcement just two days after the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) went on strike. The strike is meant to pressure the United States Maritime Alliance into meeting their demands, but the governor says it’s hurting the state’s recovery from Hurricane Helene.
“It is unacceptable for the Biden-Harris administration to allow supply chain interruptions to hurt people who are still recovering from a Category 4 hurricane,” DeSantis told reporters in Manatee County. He emphasized the importance of keeping the ports running, saying that both the Florida National Guard and the Florida State Guard will be sent to affected areas to help maintain order and restore operations.
In addition to deploying the guards, DeSantis announced other emergency measures to aid in hurricane recovery. So far, there have been 15 confirmed deaths from the storm in Florida, but DeSantis warned that the number could rise as rescue efforts continue.
The ILA union, which represents over 40,000 workers at ports along the East Coast and Gulf Coast, is demanding higher wages and a ban on automation at ports. They argue that automation would reduce jobs for dockworkers, despite making ports more efficient. Critics of the strike claim the union is using the disruption to hold the economy hostage, blocking progress.
President Joe Biden issued a statement blaming the shipping industry, not the workers. “Dockworkers will be key to getting communities the supplies they need as we recover from the hurricane,” Biden said. “Now is not the time for ocean carriers to avoid negotiating fair wages while making record profits.”
Former President Donald Trump also sided with the workers, saying American dockworkers should be able to negotiate higher pay, especially since most shipping companies operate under foreign flags.
A full video of Governor DeSantis’ address is available on WTSP-TV’s YouTube channel.
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