Business owners, consumers both preparing as best they can as dockworker strike continues

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Dockworkers at PortMiami and Port Everglades joined 50,000 striking members of the International Longshoreman Association this week, demanding better pay and benefits and job security through a ban on automation.

In its third day, the strike hasn’t been consequential to the average American, but if no negotiation can be reached in the coming weeks, we could start to notice a strain on fresh produce supply.

For businesses that rely on fresh produce shipments like Playa Bowls on Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale, owner Alexandra Arguello says the effects could be crippling.

“Our main product being fresh fruit, blended fruits, it’s definitely going to have an impact on us here,” she said. “My partners and I were talking about this. There’s not so much you can do with perishable items. It’s not like you can stock up on bananas and hide them somewhere, so we really just have to hope for the best, be vigilant and be as methodical as we can with our ordering right now.”

If the strike were to last months, other businesses that carry imported items could feel the sting of a supply chain bottleneck.

Locally owned businesses could feel the impact of an extended strike with regards to the products they import from Europe.

The U.S. Maritime Alliance represents port authorities and says it has offered wage increases of more than 50% over the six year contract and is “committed to bargaining in good faith.”

But until a deal is reached between the union and the alliance, the goods can’t come in or out.

Shoppers Local 10 News spoke to are choosing preparation over panic.

Denise Wells said she’s worried about potential supply chain issues triggering price hikes in grocery items.

“People being on a budget will get hard and some people will not be able to afford it, so I’m really trying my best to try to just get in there, get what I can while I can, but leave enough for other people,” said Wells.