1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. a) How many ports will be affected?
b) How much of the cargo coming into the U.S. comes through these ports?
c) What are the union's two main demands in making a new agreement with the Maritime Alliance?

3. a) List the effects of a potential monthlong dockworkers strike.
b) What is the good news for consumers if the longshoremen were to strike?

4. a) What warning did union president Harold Dagger give earlier this month?
b) How much money do longshoremen make? How much can they make with overtime?
c) Mr. Dagget points out that longshoremen work up to 100 hours/week to make that kind of overtime. Why do you think a longshoreman would work so much overtime?

5. a) In what year was the last national longshoremen's strike?
b) Most companies offer raises within a 3-5% range per year. Payroll firm ADP noted that workers who stayed in the same job reported a 4.8% yearly increase. What average yearly increase are the longshoremen asking for? How does union president Dagger explain this amount?
c) Ask a parent or other adult what percent annual increase they usually receive in their job. (Try to find one union and one non-union employee to ask.) Then ask, considering inflation (the skyrocketing cost of everything), do you think the union is being unreasonable to the Maritime Alliance? Please explain your answer.
d) Something to consider: every employer is also experiencing the problems from inflation. Not every employer will be able to increase employees salaries to cover inflation. Which presidential candidate do you think is more likely bring down inflation: Kamala Harris or Donald Trump? If you are not sure, ask a parent (or grandparent).

6. Regarding the second demand about automation, Dagger said:
“We do not believe that robotics should take over a human being’s job. Especially a human being that’s historically performed that job.”
a) What is your reaction to this argument? Agree or disagree? Explain your answer.
b) A concern not mentioned in this article:  many/all? U.S. ports use cargo cranes made in China. President Biden recently ordered ports to purchase cargo cranes made in the US over fears of Chinese espionage or hacking (Chinese or other nefarious individuals or groups), which could bring port business to a halt. Should concern over hacking which could disrupt our cargo shipping business be a reason to keep humans in these jobs? Explain your answer.

CHALLENGE QUESTION: Since mid-November 2023, the Yemen-based, Iran-backed Houthi terrorist group has attacked dozens of commercial ships in the Red Sea, with no signs of slowing down. The terrorist group's attacks on ships in the Red Sea have significantly impacted global shipping, including U.S. shipping, in a number of ways:

• Shipping routes: The attacks have caused major disruptions and delays to global shipping routes, especially through the Suez Canal.
• Shipping companies: The attacks have strained shipping companies financially, forcing them to divert around Africa.
• Global supply chains: The attacks have had a drastic impact on global supply chains.
• Global trade: The attacks are disrupting global trade.
• U.S. consumers and taxpayers: The attacks will impact U.S. consumers and taxpayers.
• Global shipping companies' investment decisions: The attacks have forced global shipping companies to make long-term investment decisions, such as purchasing additional ships.

RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery said: “These Houthi attacks are occurring almost daily. The United States is spending billions of dollars in a defensive effort to engage missiles in flight or destroy them on the ground in Yemen. If Washington wants to deter these attacks, we need to cut off the supply chain of missiles and parts to the Houthis at the source — Iranian ships and ports.”

(Read more at: Top Shipping Company Warns of Global Impact of Houthi Attacks on Vessels in Red Sea)

Which presidential candidate do you think is more likely to stop the Houthi terrorist attacks? Explain your answer.