A strike by the ILA workers would be the first by the union since 1977 and could have major impacts on the U.S. economy

With a strike deadline looming, the group representing East and Gulf Coast ports is asking a federal agency to make the Longshoremen’s union come to the bargaining table to negotiate a new contract.

A strike that is potentially just weeks away has the potential to have a weeks if not months-long impact on the U.S. economy.