REP. TED BUDD LEADS BILL TO STOP BIG LABOR SUPPLY CHAIN SLOWDOWNS

Press Release

Today, Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced the Preventing Labor Union Slowdowns Act. The bill would define an intentional slowdown by unionized maritime port workers as an "unfair labor practice" and would deter Big Labor unions from employing this leverage strategy during their upcoming contract negotiations this year.

The Senate's lead sponsor is Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID).

Other House sponsors: Reps. Scott Perry (R-PA), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), and John Rose (R-TN).

Read the full legislative text of the bill HERE.

Background:

Negotiations for a new contract for over 22,000 union workers employed at ports across the West Coast are set to begin this summer.

During the last negotiation in 2015, maritime workers intentionally "slowed down" operations to exact leverage, leading to an estimated $2 billion worth of losses per day.

Maritime labor union tactics to resist automation for fear of lost jobs and wages have also deprived U.S. ports--particularly those on the West Coast--of key modernization and efficiency initiatives.

A 2021 survey of 351 ports across the world had the Port of Los Angeles ranked 328th while the Port of Long Beach secured the 333rd spot.

Rep. Budd said in a statement:

"At a time when our supply chains are already disrupted and causing economic pain to millions of Americans, we cannot allow Big Labor to take advantage of the situation and use unfair tactics to exacerbate the supply chain crisis and prevent much-needed modernization of port operations."

Source