Union negotiations covering longshore workers on the East and Gulf Coasts have been stalled since June 10, bringing the union closer to a potential strike at the September 30 contract expiration.

Leaders of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) have called a September 4-5 delegates meeting to discuss demands and strike strategy. Last week the union sent the employer association, known as USMX, a strike notice that federal law requires sixty days before a strike.

The contract between the ILA and the USMX is one of the largest expiring this year, and a strike would have massive economic impact — billions of dollars per day.