Will Another Dock Workers Strike Affect the Economy and Your Wallet? [Video]

Another workers strike is looming at U.S. ports and the results could be higher prices and slower economic growth. 

Last year, striking workers forced a brief stoppage in operations at East and Gulf Coast ports that had some analysts worried would have an impact on the U.S. economy.  Now, as negotiations on a labor contract are set to continue, economists are again bracing for a potential port strike that could slow supply chains for everything from cars to coffee.

The United States Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen’s Association labor union will reportedly resume contract negotiations on Tuesday, Jan. 7. The dock workers and operators agreed to a pay increase in October that temporarily suspended the short-lived strike. 

Issues remain ahead of a Jan. 15 deadline for a new contract. The negotiations now center on the use of semi-automated cranes at ports, and failure to reach an agreement could result in another port workers’ strike as soon as next week.

While the U.S. economy …