A phenomenon known in American politics as the “October Surprise” refers to an unforeseen incident or event—usually a scandal—that is often purposefully released or announced just weeks before most of the country heads to the polls to cast their presidential ballot. This year, a ‘surprise’ is brewing that could tank Vice President Kamala Harris’s dreams of becoming the first female commander-in-chief.
Thousands of dockworkers at major ports along the East and Gulf coasts are gearing up for a strike early next week, which could disrupt key trade hubs handling approximately half of the U.S. container goods. Negotiations between the dockworkers’ union and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), representing terminal operators and ocean carriers, have stalled for months, with conflicting statements from both sides about their willingness to resume talks.
CBS News reports that the USMX has filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), seeking “immediate injunctive relief” to force the union back to negotiations. The NLRB has confirmed receipt of the complaint, which is being processed by its regional office in Newark, New Jersey. The charge will be posted on the agency’s website in the coming days, triggering an investigation, CBS noted.
Top Biden administration officials, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, met with members of the USMX on Friday, urging them to resume negotiations before the contract expires. This late intervention, however, has highlighted concerns about the administration’s handling of the situation. Experts warn that a strike could severely disrupt the flow of goods and drive up shipping costs, which are likely to be passed on to consumers. Such an increase could hinder efforts to stabilize U.S. inflation and complicate the Federal Reserve’s plans to lower interest rates.
Kamala Harris has been facing challenges in maintaining Biden’s waning support among labor unions, struggling to match his appeal to the working class. Earlier this month, the Teamsters union notably withheld its endorsement, reflecting dissatisfaction within the labor community. The upcoming dockworkers’ strike on October 1 is expected to exacerbate economic instability, potentially further eroding the Biden-Harris administration’s support among crucial union voters.
Mary Rooke of The Daily Caller has highlighted several significant challenges Kamala Harris may face leading up to the 2024 presidential election. Harris has struggled to secure support from blue-collar workers, and the looming maritime strike could exacerbate her difficulties. Rooke, along with others, warns that the strike could disrupt American supply chains, leading to soaring prices and potentially costing the U.S. $5 billion a day in trade.
Should the Biden-Harris administration intervene, similar to their action against a 2022 rail strike, they risk alienating union workers in crucial swing states. Conversely, failing to address the strike could worsen the economic impact and further harm Harris’s campaign by affecting voters nationwide, and Republicans are already sounding the alarm.
“It’ll be devastating,” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) told Fox News about the situation. “I think people will not be seeing things on the shelves that they’re looking for. I think prices will go up. Talk about inflationary policy. There’ll be obviously a supply and demand issue that will drive up consumer prices and access to the goods that they need. And I don’t see the administration really talking about this issue. They say they’re looking at it, but we need more than just looking at it. We need them to engage to prevent this.”
The potential dockworker strike exacerbates voters’ growing dissatisfaction with the economy, which could further unsettle an already anxious electorate. Despite his reputation as the most pro-union president in American history, Biden and his administration have so far chosen not to intervene.
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.