Labor Pains. . .

(Labor Pains. . .)

The first line in the Declaration of Independence reads: "In the course of human events. . ." which basically describes the rights if not duty to be free of the British Empire. As it is now with the American Labor movement and its estrangement from the Democrat Party. Strikes are possible at Boeing and a work stoppage on East Coast shipping, unless President Biden intervenes. For his part, Biden is perhaps not even aware, though is convening his first Cabinet meeting in eleven months. A majority of the Teamsters Union seem to be supporting Donald Trump, though Teamster leadership is holding endorsement to either Harris or Trump. One union that is endorsing Trump is the Local Pipe-Fitters organization.


The most serious of all these events is the possible strike of those dock-workers. Boeing is having its problems and is reducing personnel. Union members might vote for Trump or not but halting those big container ships and keep them at anchor and this close to Christmas. It is not only retailers that would be at risk hut a whole collection from agriculture to transport.


Is still the supply problem residual from the Pandemic ? It was only a short time ago that the stoppage was on the West Coast, with cargo ships and tankers riding anchor. Remember the baby formula shortages ? The disruption of fertilizer and wheat imports because of the Ukraine War ? Clearly, some kind of Presidential intervention is needed. Who, however is the President ?


President Biden might have called a Cabinet meeting, but First Lady Jill was the chair. Vice President Harris had a "rally" with Oprah Winfrey with some other star power, but it had to be the talk show that that kept Harris from the Word Salad bar. Who then is in charge ? If that strike happens, and the effects get exacerbated over the next weeks, whom will be there to blame ?


It will be Halloween in a few weeks, Thanksgiving a few weeks after that. Black Friday is the Gateway to Christmas. However, it is around Halloween that Christmas shopping begins to be considered and retailers begin to stock their shelves. It is easy to notice that Christmas music plays while looking for candy and costumes.


However, if shelves stay empty, if all that cargo remains offshore and there is no half-price off sale because there is no merchandise to so mark. Just in time for Christmas.

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