MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Nearly 50,000 port workers have hit the picket line across the country in the first strike of its kind in decades.
The workers are demanding higher pay and a ban on automation.
The strikes are happening in ports along the East coast and Gulf Coast, and the concern about the supply chain has many people in the Memphis area remembering the COVID pandemic.
Inside Costco off Germantown Parkway in Cordova, Wednesday was not business as usual.
“I was here originally to get toilet paper, but it seems they’re out today," said Brittany Benham.
The store was out of toilet paper, and by the minute, running low on paper towels as the port strike sent Memphians feverishly searching for those common everyday items.
“It’s gonna really mess up the economy," said Benham. "People are going to do what they’re doing and try and stock up, and prices are gonna go up and we’re gonna get forced to pay those prices in the long run.”
Just down the road at Sam’s Club off Highway 64, one store employee told ABC24 they were out of toilet paper and paper towels.
Shopper Mark Dunkin said the store was out of "mostly paper products, toilet paper, paper towels, and bleach.”
And it was more of the same at a nearby Walmart. While it was unclear if the store has more stock in back storage, many of those same items were running thin.
“I’m afraid we’re going to run out of toilet paper and paper towels, and a bunch of other things," said Don Bucan.
Bucan shared the same concerns of many, remembering the toll the pandemic took on his local business.
“It wasn’t good for my business so I’m stocking up at least on toilet paper… Not paper, paper towels - there’s no toilet paper," said Bucan.
Almost half of the items shipped into the United States come through the 36 ports where dock workers are currently on strike.
Experts said the toilet paper shortage happening now is not a direct result of the port strike, but because of panic buying.
As far as the Memphis port, EDGE President and CEO Dr. Joann Massey posted the following statement: "The ongoing dockworkers' strike at East and Gulf Coast ports does not directly affect the Port of Memphis, as we do not operate with International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) workers. However, delays at coastal ports, especially the Port of New Orleans, where container movements are significant, could disrupt the flow of goods through Memphis. This may impact supply chains and increase costs for businesses reliant on these shipments. Although labor remains unaffected locally, the rerouting of cargo, such as repositioning empty containers from Memphis to Baton Rouge and onward to Asia, could still present challenges for Memphis industries."
ABC24 also reached out to Memphis-based FedEx about the effect the strike is having on the shipping giant. The company responded, "We are using our vast network capabilities and supply chain expertise to activate contingency plans and provide support for those affected by this situation. Our top priority is to maintain the excellent service our customers expect, and the FedEx team stands ready to assist. Customers with questions about shipments, or those seeking to transport shipments via Air Freight, are urged to visit fedex.com or contact their FedEx sales representative."
