USA Strike at US ports leads to concerns about spoiled food

The US government is urging a quick agreement in view of the port workers' strike - also to prevent food loaded in containers from spoiling. "It will be difficult to get to the containers while labor is down," said US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in response to a journalist's question about reports of bananas stuck in a port. President Joe Biden has therefore called on shippers in particular to focus on ensuring that collective bargaining progresses. "That's the most effective way to get the bananas where they belong," Vilsack said. He hoped that the parties would come to the table.

Around a month before the US presidential election, the strike threatens to disrupt US foreign trade. On Tuesday, employees at many ports on the East Coast walked off the job. A new employer offer of almost 50 percent more income could not prevent the strike.

Around half of the US container throughput passes through the East Coast ports. The strike by members of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) union could quickly make itself felt and cost several hundred million dollars a day. The White House has urged the ILA and the employers' organization USMX to reach an agreement.

ILA members load and unload ships and are responsible for the maintenance of port equipment. The union points to the billions in profits in container shipping.