The recent strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) has triggered widespread panic buying and hoarding at grocery stores. Starting on October 1, 2024, the strike involves about 25,000 port workers along the East and Gulf coasts, significantly disrupting the supply chain. Fears of shortages have led consumers to stock up on essential goods, adding pressure to an already strained market. As supply chain issues worsen, concerns over delayed deliveries of food and other necessities continue to grow, exacerbating economic stress in affected areas.
A strike by port workers is not only impacting the Delaware Valley’s economy, but also causing reports of hoarding at grocery stores across the country that some compare to the beginning of the pandemic.
Ports on both sides of the Delaware River support thousands of jobs and move vast amounts of cargo through the South Jersey-Philadelphia area.
But the International Longshoremen’s Association — representing about 25,000 port workers on the East and Gulf coasts —– went on strike when a contract expired at midnight Sept. 30.
Now, people in New Jersey and beyond are sounding off with reports of empty shelves, presumably in relation to the International Longshoremen’s Association strike.
Lisa Lea said “everything was gone” when she went to the Sam’s Club in Deptford on Tuesday.