A major dockworkers strike is hours away.
The International Longshoremen's Association is set to hit the picket line at 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday -- a work stoppage that will impact roughly 45K workers and shut down several dozen seaports on the East and Gulf Coasts.
The strike will immediately halt almost half of U.S. imports delivered by sea. While industries have been rushing shipments in to prepare for a work stoppage, experts have projected even a brief strike will significantly impact supply chains and could lead to higher prices for consumers.
The Department of Labor has reportedly engaged the United States Maritime Alliance, but President Joe Biden previously indicated he would not block a strike despite pleas from importers. Talks have stalled, suggesting some work stoppage is inevitable.