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President Joe Biden and his administration have signaled to both sides in the high-risk longshoremen's strike that they need to resolve things “fairly and quickly,” the White House said in a statement Tuesday.

The White House communiqué acknowledged the urgency of resolving the strike, but also noted the hard work of longshoremen and reiterated that collective bargaining was the best and fastest way out of the stalemate. White House officials expected the strike to have minimal impact on gasoline and food prices, at least for now.

“The President has instructed his team to convey his message directly to both sides that they must sit at the table and negotiate in good faith – fairly and quickly,” the White House said.

The statement made frequent references to Vice President Kamala Harris, who is courting labor in her bid for the presidency.

Longshoremen at 36 ports on the East and Gulf Coasts walked off work at midnight after negotiations stalled over their demands for higher wages and protections against automation. As long as the strike continues, it could cost the economy up to $5 billion a day.

On Monday, the White House reported, Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and National Economic Adviser Lael Brainard gathered the board of directors of the United States Maritime Alliance, which represented the ports, and “urged them to resolve the issue in a way that will ensure the success of these ports.” explains “companies in recent years and the invaluable contributions” of dock workers.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and others have been “in direct contact” with both management and labor “to advance negotiations,” the White House said.

On Friday, administration officials met with representatives of the Maritime Alliance at the White House “and urged them to come to a fair agreement,” the White House said.

Biden officials were careful not to blame the strike on longshoremen.

“Senior White House and administration officials continue to work around the clock to encourage both sides to continue negotiating a solution,” the White House statement said. “The President and Vice President believe that collective bargaining is the best way for both American workers and employers to reach a fair deal.”

White House: Impact on consumers should be 'limited'

Biden officials predicted the impact on consumers would be “limited,” including “in the critical areas of fuel, food and medicine.”

Still, Biden has directed a supply chain disruption task force to meet daily and prepare to “address potential disruptions as necessary.”

The strike “will not impact the export and import of crude oil, gasoline, natural gas and other liquid fuels,” the White House memo said, because those operations are not conducted at East or Gulf Coast ports. “Therefore, the strike will have no immediate impact on fuel supplies or fuel prices.”

A gallon of regular gasoline averaged $3.20 on Tuesday, down from $3.22 on Monday, AAA reported.

Biden officials also said they don't expect any “significant changes” in food prices or availability “in the near future.”

The White House statement was made in a pool report prepared by the Los Angeles Times.

On By John Fenwick

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