Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed an executive order activating the Florida National Guard to maintain the operational status of the state’s ports during the ongoing International Longshoremen’s Association strike. This proactive measure aims to prevent disruptions at key ports such as JAXPORT, Port Tampa Bay, Port Everglades, and PortMiami, which are vital for the state’s supply chain, especially in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s impact.
The executive order emphasizes collaboration between the National Guard, the Florida State Guard, and other state agencies to ensure the continuity of port activities. This response reflects a commitment to safeguarding the state’s economic stability while addressing the challenges posed by the strike, which threatens to exacerbate supply chain issues during a critical recovery period.
The National Guard can be activated in several ways, depending on the circumstances:
- State Activation (Title 32): The governor can activate the National Guard for state emergencies like natural disasters or civil unrest, operating under state control with potential federal support.
- Federal Activation (Title 10): The President can federalize the National Guard for national emergencies, placing it under federal control, and members receive active-duty pay and benefits.
- State Active Duty: Governors can activate the Guard under state authority for localized emergencies, covering associated costs without federal involvement.
Sources:
https://www.newsweek.com/ron-desantis-national-guard-florida-ports-ila-strike-1963554
https://www.yahoo.com/news/helene-recovery-desantis-issues-trio-194138457.html
The U.S. military & National Guard don't rely on the Longshoremen’s Association to load and unload ships. They manage their own logistics.
It's easy for them to replace the union workers and keep ports functioning if they're ordered to.
— Financelot (@FinanceLancelot) October 3, 2024