- Tolstoy's descendants in family saga over Russian peace prize
- Climate change, economics muddy West's drive to curb Chinese EVs
- Tigers, Royals, Padres advance in MLB playoffs, Brewers stay alive
- Argentina's Milei vetoes university budget after huge protests
- Singapore ex-minister sentenced to 12 months in prison in rare graft trial
- Baseball 'superhuman' Ohtani finds new ways to amaze among greats
- TotalEnergies plans to grow oil and gas production until 2030
- 2024 Nobels offer glimmer of hope as global crises mount
- Tokyo rallies on weak yen, Hong Kong reverses after surge
- Australia's world No.7 Green wants women to play Presidents Cup
- Mexico leader worried about drinking water after Hurricane John
- Tunisia readies for vote as incumbent Saied eyes victory
- Messi scores two as Miami clinch MLS Supporters' Shield
- US election like no other enters nail-biting final month
- Morocco mobile desalination units quench remote areas' thirst
- US election: five key moments in an extraordinary campaign
- High childcare costs in US weigh on women's employment
- US voters seek help with crushing childcare costs
- Taiwan shuts down for second day as Typhoon Krathon to land
- Chappell Roan drama sees US singer's fandom get political -- and pushy
- Supercharged storms: how climate change amplifies cyclones
- Biden official urges talks as US port strike enters second day
- Huge protests in Argentina over public university cuts
- Deadly Israeli strike on central Beirut after soldiers killed
- Trump 'resorted to crimes' to overturn 2020 election: special counsel
- Tigers and Royals complete sweeps to advance in MLB playoffs
- 'Heartbreaking': Biden, Harris tour storm areas as deaths surpass 160
- Australia's most capped footballer Polkinghorne to retire
- Emery masterminds 'statement' Champions League win for Aston Villa
- Ancelotti holds hands up as Real Madrid's long unbeaten run ends
- Juventus played like a team 'possessed', says Vlahovic
- Real Madrid beaten in Champions League as Villa shock Bayern
- US urgently tries to shape Israel's response to Iran
- Tigers sweep Astros to advance in MLB playoffs
- Dodgers say pitching icon Valenzuela 'focusing on health'
- Rampant Benfica smash Simeone's Atletico in Champions League
- Conceicao stunner nets 10-man Juventus win at Leipzig
- Aston Villa stun Bayern in repeat of 1982 European Cup final
- Rally in oil prices loses steam on mixed day for global stocks
- Rampant Benfica smash Simeone's absent Atletico
- David strikes as Lille claim Real Madrid scalp in Champions League
- Slot makes Liverpool history as Reds beat Bologna
- Biden, Harris tour areas slammed by major storm
- Doctor who provided Matthew Perry's drugs pleads guilty
- South America treated to rare 'ring of fire' eclipse
- Calf injury slows Doncic as Mavs launch training camp
- Biden official says port strike deal not as far as parties think
- Knicks get Towns from T-wolves for Randle in major NBA deal
- Leicester coach Cheika handed ban for 'disrespecting' doctor
- Jewish pilgrims journey to Ukraine, from one war to another
RBGPF | 100% | 59.99 | $ | |
NGG | -1.85% | 68.78 | $ | |
AZN | 1.14% | 79.58 | $ | |
GSK | -2.15% | 39.45 | $ | |
SCS | -2.56% | 12.87 | $ | |
RELX | -0.11% | 47.29 | $ | |
RYCEF | 0.14% | 6.91 | $ | |
BTI | -1.33% | 35.97 | $ | |
CMSC | 0.04% | 24.78 | $ | |
RIO | -0.48% | 70.82 | $ | |
VOD | -2.16% | 9.74 | $ | |
CMSD | -0.04% | 24.93 | $ | |
JRI | -1.12% | 13.38 | $ | |
BCC | -1.33% | 139.53 | $ | |
BP | 0.86% | 32.37 | $ | |
BCE | -1.13% | 34.44 | $ |
Biden official urges talks as US port strike enters second day
US dockworkers picketed for a second day Wednesday, garnering support from other labor groups as the Biden administration urged shippers to boost their offer to end a damaging strike weeks before the presidential election.
About 45,000 workers with the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) walked off their port jobs early Tuesday, having failed to reach a new agreement with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents shipping companies and terminal operators.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the strike could be ended quickly, arguing that shippers need to share more of the bounty after a period of "unbelievable profits."
"We actually think the parties, economically, are not as far apart from each other as they may think," Buttigieg told CNBC a day after the strike began at major East and Gulf Coast ports.
"They're the ones who need to get to the table, work it out, reach a deal and get those ports back," Buttigieg said.
But an ILA spokesman said early Wednesday afternoon that there was no news in terms of negotiations. Top union brass went to picket and were joined by members of the Teamsters union.
The ILA is pressing for protections against automation-related job loss and for hefty wage hikes after dockworkers kept providing essential services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
USMX said late Wednesday that it hoped to return soon to the bargaining table.
"Reaching an agreement will require negotiating –- and our full focus is on how to return to the table to further discuss these vital components, many of which are intertwined," USXM said.
"We cannot agree to preconditions to return to bargaining –- but we remain committed to bargaining in good faith to address the ILA's demands and USMX's concerns," it added.
- 'Catastrophe' -
President Joe Biden's administration has signaled it has no plans to intervene in the strike, with Biden himself emphasizing the importance of collective bargaining rights.
But South Carolina officials Governor Henry McMaster and Senator Lindsey Graham, both Republicans, said the president should reconsider his position in light of the effects of Hurricane Helene, which has ravaged the Carolinas.
"We're having our ports shut down in the middle of just a catastrophe in this part of South Carolina and North Carolina. I'm all for people being treated fairly. But I've urged President Biden not to let this go on much longer," said Graham, who expressed worry about access to medical supplies.
"This hurricane was Mother Nature. The port problem is man-made. So I'm urging President Biden, do not let this linger," Graham said, warning the continued port closures could lead to a "calamity."
An ILA spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Graham's remarks.
However, the union blasted an article in the New York Post which published photos of ILA President Harold Daggett's estate in Sparta, New Jersey, along with an image of a Bentley car.
The Post article was published "with the intention of weakening his ability to negotiate a new Master Contract for ILA members," the ILA said.
"The publication of pictures of Mr Daggett's home is reckless and places Mr Daggett and his family at great risk of personal harm," said a letter from his attorney to the New York Post counsel.
K.Brown--BTB