CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - U.S. Ports from Maine to Texas could shut down Tuesday if a union representing about 45,000 dockworkers carries through with a threat to strike. With strike looming, progress is reported in talks between Eastern and Gulf ports and dockworkers 22News spoke with a professor of economics who says that this is a dire situation for American consumers. The economy could come to a standstill, and shipping delays could worsen ahead of the holiday shopping season. The contract between the International Longshoremen's Association and the United States Maritime Alliance, which represents the ports, expires at midnight. The workers want a 77 % wage hike over six years and a complete ban on automation on cranes, gates, and container loading and unloading. The two sides have not held negotiations since June and are now going down to the wire ahead of a possible strike. John Rogers, a Professor of Economics and Finance at American International College, told 22News, "If this goes on for any length of time, it could be a real disaster. You also have huge traffic in autoparts and all kinds of critical material--you have huge agricultural exports that are perishable. They can't just sit on the dock and wait. I think the president needs to step up and try to get involved." Rogers says the longer a strike goes, the longer it's going to take for the economy and the supply chain to recover, possibly costing the economy 4.5 billion dollars per day. If there is a strike, it would be the first by the union since 1977. At midnight is when the contract ends, the potential for a strike begins. Local News Headlines How you can protect yourself in the event of a weather disaster Ricky Duran of “The Voice” to headline 2024 Pet Rock Festival in Lancaster Port strike threat looms, U.S. ports may shut down Israeli strike kills Hezbollah leader, escalating conflict WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.