Dockworkers Strike Could Shut Down East Coast Ports, Paralyze Business

Strike Could Paralyze Nation
Shipping containers are seen as port operations are halted during a strike at the Port of Los Angeles Tuesday, December 4, 2012. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says both sides in a strike at the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have agreed to federal mediation. However, the union representing clerical workers says the strike now in its eighth day will continue. Clerical workers are striking 10 terminals at the nation's busiest port complex and dockworkers won't cross picket lines. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
Shipping containers are seen as port operations are halted during a strike at the Port of Los Angeles Tuesday, December 4, 2012. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says both sides in a strike at the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have agreed to federal mediation. However, the union representing clerical workers says the strike now in its eighth day will continue. Clerical workers are striking 10 terminals at the nation's busiest port complex and dockworkers won't cross picket lines. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

Anyone who has seen “On the Waterfront” knows East Coast longshoremen can be a tough bunch.

The dockworkers are flexing their muscles again, threatening a strike beginning Sunday that would shut seaports from Massachusetts to Texas. It would be the first such coastwide strike since a two-month walkout in 1977 paralyzed the flow of tens of billions of dollars of imports — and the nation’s retailers and other businesses fear a painful replay if the 14,500 dockworkers make good on their threats.

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