Dockworker Strike Looms: Is Your Supply Chain Ready for 2025’s First Potential Big Disruption?

Uncertainty looming out there on the horizon doesn’t have to be unmanageable and lead to day and night re-working of multiple spreadsheets, manual scenario runs and firefighting. Right now, businesses across the U.S. are bracing for a potential dockworker strike that could disrupt 60% of shipping traffic. Nearly 47,000 unionized dockworkers at East and Gulf Coast ports are in the midst of tense negotiations over automation, and if talks fail, the ripple effects will be felt across industries.

This isn’t a new story—labor disputes and automation have been clashing for ages. But the stakes are higher than ever. With $5 billion in daily losses on the line, we’re reminded just how critical it is for companies to stay ahead of disruptions like this one. So, how best to prepare for the unexpected and adapt?

Why This Strike Should Be on Your Radar

Let’s set the stage. Back in October, dockworkers went on a historic three-day strike—the first of its kind in nearly 50 years. While they reached a temporary agreement that included a hefty 62% wage hike over six years, the automation issue was left unresolved.

Now, as talks resume, both sides are digging in their heels: the union wants guarantees that automation won’t replace jobs, while employers argue it’s essential for safety, competitiveness and efficiency.

If negotiations break down, the impact will be felt far and wide. Ports affected by the strike handle about 60% of U.S. shipping traffic, meaning a prolonged work stoppage could disrupt supply chains across industries and geographies in a hyper-connected world—from retail and manufacturing to healthcare and beyond.

For businesses, this could mean delayed shipments, inventory shortages, skyrocketing costs, and missed customer commitments. The fallout would affect not just logistics but every corner of operations.

For an in-depth look at how businesses can prepare for disruptions like this, explore our Definitive Guide to Adaptive Planning and ensure your supply chain is ready to adapt.

How ketteQ Helps You Navigate the Storm

At ketteQ, we understand the challenges that come with supply chain disruptions—and we’ve built our platform to address them. Our adaptive supply chain planning solutions give businesses the tools they need to navigate uncertainty with confidence.  

Here’s how ketteQ can help you manage the risks of a potential dockworker strike:

1. Real-Time Data Visibility

With ketteQ, you can gain a 360-degree view of your supply chain in real time. Our Salesforce-native platform integrates data across your entire operation and identifies potential bottlenecks, adjusting plans proactively.

2. AI-Powered Scenario Planning

Disruptions like a port strike require dynamic planning. ketteQ’s PolymatiQ™ Solver leverages AI and machine learning to simulate thousands of potential scenarios automatically in parallel, helping you evaluate trade-offs and make informed decisions. Whether it’s adjusting sourcing options or re-balancing inventory, you’ll be equipped to pivot effectively with data backed recommendations.

Want to learn more about planning for uncertainty? Check out our blog on how to Plan Every Possibility to stay ahead of disruptions like this.

3. Dynamic Inventory Allocation Planning

Strikes often lead to stockouts and customer dissatisfaction. ketteQ helps you allocate limited inventory to demand over the entire planning horizon. The ketteQ PolymatiQ engine automatically evaluates thousands of options across all sources and levels of the supply chain to minimize customer and supplier disruptions and by making the most efficient use of all available sources of supply.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration

Supply chain issues don’t operate in silos, and neither should your teams. ketteQ fosters collaboration between operations, sales, suppliers and finance, ensuring a unified response to challenges all on an open, fully connected platform.

5. Proactive Disruption Management

ketteQ’s predictive analytics spots vulnerabilities in your supply chain before they escalate. With ketteQ, potential disruptions can be proactively addressed ensuring continuity by understanding the shape and boundaries of your unique supply chain.  

What This Means for Your Business

Supply chain disruptions like a dockworker strike are a stark reminder that “business as usual” is no longer an option. The companies that thrive in 2025 will be those that embrace adaptability and invest in proactive planning to build resilience.

This isn’t just about one strike. It’s about creating a supply chain that can handle any challenge, whether it’s labor disputes, natural disasters, or global pandemics. Businesses that succeed in today’s environment are those that adapt efficiently to disruptions without firefighting and long hours of manual scenario planning and custom code juggling.

With ketteQ, you can move from reactive and random to proactive and efficient repeatable planning, ensuring your operations remain resilient no matter what comes your way. Our platform transforms uncertainty into opportunity, helping you navigate challenges with confidence and agility.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

The potential dockworker strike is just one of many disruptions your supply chain could face this year. With the right tools and strategies, you can stay ahead of the curve and protect your business from the unexpected. Don’t let outdated parameters and assumptions or hard-coded sourcing logic prevent you from adapting to disruptive events – instead, have the ketteQ PolymatiQ engine dynamically adjust and recommend.

Let ketteQ help you navigate the road ahead with confidence. Contact us today to learn how we can support your business in 2025 and beyond.

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