Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has deployed the Florida National Guard and State Guard to assist at ports impacted by a nationwide strike of longshoremen. The strike, led by the International Longshoremen’s Association, is driven by demands for better wages and protection against automation. In response, DeSantis issued an executive order enabling the Guards to maintain order, manage traffic, and ensure essential goods are moved from the state’s 16 seaports to the market without delay. This action includes waiving tolls for commercial vehicles, easing size and weight regulations, and providing escorts for trucks transporting vital supplies.
DeSantis emphasized that this measure is meant to ensure the state remains “open” and to prevent critical goods from being held up, particularly during hurricane recovery efforts in Florida. He also criticized the federal government’s handling of the strike, urging action to prevent further disruptions to the supply chain
(FreightWaves)(Florida’s Voice).