Tens of thousands of longshoremen could walk off the job from Maine to Texas next week if their union and management can’t resolve long-running contract issues.

A damaging strike that kicks off a few days before President-elect Trump takes office could be his first economic test, with big business bristling at the economic toll that’s been threatened by the head of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), who says he shares a “strong relationship” with Trump.

ILA workers went on strike in October after the union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX), a group of port operators and shipping companies, failed to reach an agreement ahead of the contract deadline. The two sides struck a deal — with the help of Biden administration officials — to end the three-day strike that included a 62 percent wage increase over the next six years.

That pay raise and other forms of compensation could be off the table if the parties can’t come to an agreement on automation ahead of the Jan. 15 deadline. The ability to automate port functions will affect capital expenditures that shippers and port operators would like to make, which would be a factor in determining the overall dollar value of the labor contract for USMX, one labor-side source told The Hill.

The person said they “wouldn’t be shocked at all” if the union chose to strike in a week’s time.

“With unresolved issues around automation and job security, the outcome of these talks could significantly impact global supply chains. Earlier agreements delayed disruptions, but pressure is mounting for a lasting resolution,” said John Donigian, senior director of supply chain........

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