Port workers across the United States eastern seaboard and gulf coast are currently taking strike action.  Minister of Economic Affairs, Sen. Hon. Michael Halkitis spoke on Tuesday about the impact of the action on the import of goods into the country.

The Minister told reporters most of the items imported in the country come through the west coast of the United States.  “Most of the shipping that comes in there comes from non unionized ports so that’s a point of optimism.  But overall any sort of disruption in the economy, particularly when its protracted, and you know, has the potential to impact us because you know you have a lot of moving parts.  You have the shippers, you have the truckers, you have the warehouse workers, you know, and so it’s something that we’re watching.  I think all of the players understand the gravity of the situation and hopefully that would incentivize them to move to the negotiating table  and get this resolved as quickly as possible,” Halkitis said.

Members of the International Longshoremen’s Association took strike action at 12:01am on Tuesday morning due to contact negotiation failure with the United State Maritime Alliance.

Minister Halkitis said, “it goes to show how, you know, we here in The Bahamas have basically nothing to do with some of these developments but it impacts us in a very fundamental way and the cost of things that we consume.  And so, again, we’re watching it, we’re hopeful.  Our advice is like I said, if its few weeks the impact would be minimal.  You get into difficulty if it becomes protracted, weeks and months, and then you begin to see the impact of it.”

A joint statement was released by the Ministries of Transport and Energy, Agriculture and Marine Resources and Economic Affairs assuring the public that they have been in contact with food supplies who have said that the strike action does not affect their supply chain.