Strike – first by port workers on US east coast since 1977 – threatens to shut down ports from Maine to TexasSome of the busiest ports in the US were braced for crippling disruption after about 45,000 port workers represented by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) began walking off the job after their contracts expired at midnight.Talks over a new union contract between the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) broke down on Monday and workers were expected to begin striking at 12.01 am ET on Tuesday with 36 ports along the east and Gulf coasts affected. Continue reading...