BOSTON, Mass. (WLNE) — Thousands of dockworkers could be on the picket line – including right here on the East Coast. Negotiations between companies and the International Longshoremen’s Association are struggling to move foreword. Nearly two-thirds of US trade are set to be impacted if the strike kicks off at midnight tonight, putting around 25,000 dock workers onto the picket lines. The disagreement is between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which represents port workers all across the country, as well as the United States Maritime Alliance, representing terminal operators and ocean carriers. The number one disagreement between the groups is about pay over the next few years, with the Maritime Alliance offering a 40 percent raise over the 6-year contract, with the union looking for around double that for it’s workers. This is the first strike involving these ports since 1977. The strike is expected to impact everything from fruits to alcohol, auto parts, Christmas trees, just about anything that’s shipped would see delays as a result of this. The closest impacted ports include Boston, New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. The strike would be expected to start at 12:01 Tuesday morning. Categories: News