I’d been wondering how the dockworkers’ strike got resolved so quickly at a time it was projected to wreck havoc on the economy, waylay presidential campaigns, and make toileting awkward again (contrived paper shortage). The Washington Post tells the story, and, SHOCKER, the Biden administration had a heavy hand in its resolution. If I didn’t know better, I might believe they actually know what they’re doing. /s
Here’s the full read.
With the nation’s economy — and much of the president’s legacy — hanging in the balance just weeks before the election, White House chief economist Lael Brainard told management that it needed to come up with a new offer to the striking longshoremen. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stressed that Hurricane Helene magnified the importance of a deal. Labor Secretary Julie Su expressed optimism that the union would agree to a temporary extension if raises were included.
It looks like a wonderful team effort, everyone pulling in the same direction, and no one jumping before the cameras to steal undo credit.
Less than 12 hours later, White House officials were celebrating a deal to reopen the ports until January — postponing the issue until after this November’s election. The agreement provides collective if temporary relief to skittish Democrats from the White House to Capitol Hill, while buoying Vice President Kamala Harris, along with Friday’s strong jobs report.
It all starts with a clear philosophy and the determination to stick to that and see it through.
Biden and his team both publicly and privately promised not to go that route [seek an injunction under Taft-Hartley], insisting that the owners needed to reach a deal with the union and highlighting their corporate profits in recent years. The strategy reflected Biden’s personal determination to support labor even amid immense political pressure.
The blow-by-blow negotiations make for a [to me] fascinating read. It’s another example of seeing the messy process of how the sausage is actually made.
We’re well served by a President and an Administration that knows how to govern effectively and has achieved significant results. This should count as yet another of many examples, because no one [important] would be well served by an extended strike, especially now.
The administration played a key role here in bringing the parties together and defending American workers and the union workers against foreign giants.
Well done by the people we put in charge in 2020.
