CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Local members of the International Longshoremen’s Association were out on the picket lines in full force Tuesday for the first day of the historic, coast-wide port strike.
“We have a major hold-up with wages and hourly amounts. And they’re making huge billion, billion-dollar profits and we just want our fair share,” said Lance McLaughlin, the president of ILA Local 1771 in Charleston.
Beeps of support came from cars driving by on Morrison Drive while signs waved in the air. The longshore workers are determined to keep up a 24/7 presence there and outside of the North Charleston and Wando Welch Terminals until the ILA and United States Maritime Alliance agree on a new Master Contract.
“When they hear these numbers, ‘well a dockworker can earn $150-160,000,’ they’re long nights, long days. We work 15 hours, 16 hours,” explained Kenneth Riley, the ILA International Vice President for the Port of Charleston.
Charleston ILA members joined thousands of other dockworkers on the East and Gulf Coasts who walked off the job at midnight.