Dockworkers back to work while truckers call for better wages post-strike

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – South Carolina Ports welcomed back ships and a steady flow of trucks on Friday.

The return to operations followed the end of the historic port strike on the East and Gulf Coasts.

“We were anxious to get back to work as soon as we possibly could,” said Lance McLaughlin, the President of ILA Local 1771.

McLaughlin said the dockworkers were on the job within hours of the strike’s end on Thursday.

The International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance announced they reached a tentative agreement on wages and will work out the other “outstanding issues” in January.

Local ILA leaders told News 2 the deal also included language to fight against automation.

“We got the two big ones out of the way, and we start working on the other ones and get those ironed out,” McLaughlin shared.

The end of one movement marked the beginning of another. Independent truck drivers rallied outside of the Wando Welch Terminal on Friday to advocate for better wages.

“The fact that the freight rates are so low, and the ILA shutdown had impacts on what was already a tight situation and that situation is now tighter,” explained Shauntai Robinson, a longtime truck driver. “We appreciate ILA for taking their stand and so, now we’ve decided to take a stand and ask the brokers, and the carriers do their part and help the drivers increase their pay as well.”

Malik Williams, another truck driver at the protest, said he’d like to earn a minimum of $3 per mile.

“We’re trying to get what we deserve,” Williams told News 2.

Meanwhile, SC Ports said they would be extending gate hours at container terminals on Saturday.

The ports also implemented a 0100-start time to work through ships as quickly as possible.