Thoughts on the Dockworkers Strike, will it effect medication availability?

[LuvOrlando]

Looks like it is going to happen, I wonder how much it will effect us?

Guess we are all gonna find out just how much is imported won't we?

Wondering what is just gonna stop short, medications come to mind.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Basically any product imaginable is likely to be impacted in one way or another.

 

[HeatherC]

I think it is definitely going to happen and we are all going to feel the effects big time if they don’t come to an agreement asap. Almost every thing we use is shipped through ports apparently. I figured paper towels and toilet paper wouldn’t be affected. Then I saw a video where someone was showing on the labels that they are made partially with imported materials.

Just saw an article that listed the biggest companies using these ports and Walmart is pretty much right at the top. The list is endless. General Motors, Dollar General, Home Depot, Amazon, etc….

Plus when you think of all the billions of dollars in supplies that are needed right now to even start rebuilding from just the latest hurricane, it is mind boggling. Even the railroads have been affected.

Not to be all doom and gloom, but I do think we will see higher prices and shortages in the coming months if they can’t come to an agreement very quickly. Not exactly what Americans need right now.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I think we are all going to be in for quite a shock. Saw this meme and thought funny /not funny

 

[longboard55]

If you fly into Los Angeles you might notice the massive warehouses in the inland empire area. These were basically built so companies could stockpile goods in case of the often occurring dock worker strike. Clearly they have too much power. Interestingly the most recent west coast strikes are no longer about pay and benefits, which are way too high, its more about the right to insure their children recieve dock worker jobs

 

[Pooh2]

Just went to the supermarket this morning as it is usually a pretty quiet time.
They had a holiday-like crowd!
We were wondering if people may be concerned about supply issues due to the strike and stocking up.

 

[tony67]

So went to top up both my cars yesterday and one of the gas stations I frequent decided to close for a few days - it was open on Sunday - I don't think they were out of gas. Very odd.

I did just go down the road and top up.
Supermarket was not particularly busy today or yesterday, but I figure it does not hurt to be pre-paired.

Ill be keeping my cars topped up for the time being and keeping an eye on things.
I feel like not enough attention was giving the week leading up to this so people have not started to react.

 

[Kennywood]

Costco and Sam's are going to be VERY busy.

 

[SC Minnie]

I work in logistics for a company that exports. This is going to be a disaster if not settled quickly.

 

[mistysue]

I think we all got a taste of what this will be like back 4 years ago, when there were ships parked for months unable to do anything.
Shortages are probably going to hit the same way they did then - very suddenly.

Can I take this moment to say how nice it was then to have bidets in each of my bathrooms?

For real, if you have food allergies or dietary restrictions and didn't then, if there are ANY products that you have a single source for, have a bit more on hand that usual. We had ONE safe butter at that point and had to figure out how to do everything without oil or butter for about 3 months. Things like rice, pasta, dried beans, they last quite a while so if you don't use them up, you just have some. But if you need them, they are there.

ETA- one of my neighbors back then left care packages on porches, just a roll of toilet paper and plastic baggies. But if you are able, it's not the worst plan to think about whether you have a neighbor who might need something, and within reason plan a bit.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

One group of people should not be able to hold the entire country hostage. If this was a business monopoly it would be illegal. It’s about money of course but it’s really about automation at the ports. But every industry is or will be affected by that, why should longshoremen be any different? Meanwhile the head of the union was wearing a huge gold chain necklace, Rolex watch and super expensive designer glasses during his interview where he threatens to bring the country to its knees, which just makes him look like the mobster he is. He’s obviously not hurting for money. The country needs to start making all of our own stuff again. This strike will end eventually but Imagine if China were to cut us off permanently? It would be catastrophic

 

[sibesx2]

Costco and Sam's are going to be VERY busy.

I went to Costco this morning. It seemed busier than usual. There were no paper towels and almost every person was buying 2-4 packs of toilet paper and water - both were getting low. It all reminded me of the pandemic.

 

[HeatherC]

Just went to the supermarket this morning as it is usually a pretty quiet time.
They had a holiday-like crowd!
We were wondering if people may be concerned about supply issues due to the strike and stocking up.

Funny you should say that. I went food shopping yesterday at Walmart and decided to stock up a bit just in case. The store was basically empty. Today I ran back to pick up a few extra items like allergy medicine, cold meds, etc..

I walked in the store and was shocked. It was jam packed. I mean you could barely get through the aisles it was so crowded. The lines were insane. On a Tuesday morning at 10am. I think word has gotten out.

What struck me as kind of comical if not ridiculous is the amount of people with Totino’s pizza rolls in their carts. I mean how long are they going to last you.

I really hope this ends quickly.

 

[mistysue]

Funny you should say that. I went food shopping yesterday at Walmart and decided to stock up a bit just in case. The store was basically empty. Today I ran back to pick up a few extra items like allergy medicine, cold meds, etc..

I walked in the store and was shocked. It was jam packed. I mean you could barely get through the aisles it was so crowded. The lines were insane. On a Tuesday morning at 10am. I think word has gotten out.

What struck me as kind of comical if not ridiculous is the amount of people with Totino’s pizza rolls in their carts. I mean how long are they going to last you.

I really hope this ends quickly.

Maybe they were going for high calorie?

 

[Cadiewampus]

One group of people should not be able to hold the entire country hostage. If this was a business monopoly it would be illegal. It’s about money of course but it’s really about automation at the ports. But every industry is or will be affected by that, why should longshoremen be any different? Meanwhile the head of the union was wearing a huge gold chain necklace, Rolex watch and super expensive designer glasses during his interview where he threatens to bring the country to its knees, which just makes him look like the mobster he is. He’s obviously not hurting for money. The country needs to start making all of our own stuff again. This strike will end eventually but Imagine if China were to cut us off permanently? It would be catastrophic

I just don't get how people can continue to blindly support the union bosses. Of course I am the oddball in my family. Pretty much everyone but me has been in unions.

 

[Cadiewampus]

I went to Costco this morning. It seemed busier than usual. There were no paper towels and almost every person was buying 2-4 packs of toilet paper and water - both were getting low. It all reminded me of the pandemic.

My wife ordered a case of both yesterday from Walmart. Hopefully they will last a long time

 

[Marrila]

Very busy at my Costco today. Many carts with two big packages of Costco TP. Word must be getting out.

 

[Christine]

I just don't get how people can continue to blindly support the union bosses. Of course I am the oddball in my family. Pretty much everyone but me has been in unions.

My husband was in a union and it was great. He did much better than those workers that didn't have one. I mean, I know unions can be corrupt at times but a good union is not and it protects workers. In 30 years, they never, ever went on strike though.

In this case, the sticking point seems to be automation. I'm not sure how you negotiate around that. Many of the west coast ports are automated so I wonder how they got through that back when it came up then.

 

[JBRB828]

I "attempted" to go to Trader Joes in Westfield at 12:30 today and there was a line of 6 cars looking for parking. Granted the parking lot isn't that big, however, there is an adjacent pay lot attached to their lot, but that was filled up too! So, I left! I wasn't going to keep circling the lot, especially when so many other cars were trying to get in.

 

[Pooh2]

I "attempted" to go to Trader Joes in Westfield at 12:30 today and there was a line of 6 cars looking for parking. Granted the parking lot isn't that big, however, there is an adjacent pay lot attached to their lot, but that was filled up too! So, I left! I wasn't going to keep circling the lot, especially when so many other cars were trying to get in.

Just got home from TJs in NH.
No parking available on upper level, got the last spot on the lower level.
I have never seen it that crowded on a holiday, never mind a regular old Tuesday!