US President-elect Donald J. Trump appears to have backed members of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) in their fight with their employers — represented by the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) — over issues of automation at US East and Gulf Coast ports.

The ILA said Trump met with ILA President Harold J. Daggett and ILA Executive Vice President Dennis A. Daggett in a two-hour meeting on December 12.

"He expressed strong support for ILA Longshore Workers in their current contract battle with United States Maritime Alliance over job-killing automation," the ILA said in a statement.

It added that Trump also reposted a Facebook message from Daggett on his Truth Social page following the meeting.

"President Trump shared ILA Executive Vice President Dennis Daggett's Facebook message where he praised the incoming President for being 'attentive to our needs…receptive and genuinely engaged in a discussion about the existential threat automation poses' onto his Truth Social page," the ILA said.

Trump's message of support for the 85,000 ILA members appeared as a major boost for the ILA, which hopes to secure a new Master Contract with USMX before the January 15, 2025, deadline.

Last October, around 45,000 members of the ILA launched its first coastwide strike since 1977, setting up picket lines at all the major ports on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Although the ILA and the USMX were able to strike a temporary deal after three days, port automation remains a sticking point between union workers and port management — one that will need to be resolved by January 2025 to avoid further strike action.

Trump, in a social media post, echoed a pro-worker, pro-ILA message, appearing to support the ILA's position against automation and semi-automation at US ports.

"There has been a lot of discussion having to do with 'automation on United States docks,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. "I've studied automation and know just about everything there is to know about it. The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen."

"Foreign companies have made a fortune in the US by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn't be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt," Trump added.

Daggett said following the meeting with the incoming president that "Trump not only demonstrated that understanding but also showed the utmost respect for the hard work, sacrifices, and dedication of our membership."

International President Harold Daggett also praised the president-elect following his reposting of Dennis Daggett's message to almost 90 million followers around the world.

On Friday, Dennis Daggett posted on his Facebook page about the meeting he and President Harold Daggett had with President-Elect Trump, a message that Trump later reposted over the weekend on his Truth Social page.

"President-elect Trump not only demonstrated that understanding but also showed the utmost respect for the hard work, sacrifices, and dedication of our membership," he said.

International President Harold Daggett also praised Trump following his move to repost Dennis Daggett's message to almost 90 million followers around the world.

"By his words and his actions, President-elect Trump is demonstrating strong support and a commitment to help ILA longshore workers," ILA President Daggett said. "I can't believe how he’s coming out for us. I hope USMX is observing."