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We collected $5.1 million for the benefit of our client who suffered Traumatic Brain Injury and other injuries...
We secured a settlement of $2.1 million from the driver who crossed the center-line and struck our client...
Contested case where our client struck cargo that was not securely fastened to a flatbed trailer...
Our client was riding his motorcycle back from the Blue Ridge Parkway when an approaching driver...
Full recovery of all damages sought by our client who was struck by a drunk driver. Due to pre-existing...
Client's husband called after nearly accepting the at-fault driver's policy limits of $100,000.00, believing ...
Pedestrian struck in the parking lot of a car wash and incident resulted in traumatic brain injury for elderly...
Client suffered two broken legs in an intersection collision caused by driver who disregarded a posted stop...
Car accidents in North Carolina happen suddenly, often catching the safest and most prepared drivers off guard. Before you know it, you're seriously hurt and wondering how you'll provide for your family.
Dealing with the aftermath of a car crash is a lot to handle, especially when you're injured due to no fault of your own. Figuring out who will foot the bill for your medical expenses and monthly bills only adds to the stress. You're left trying to answer questions like, “What happens next, now that I'm injured?” “Am I going to get fired because I can't go to work?” “How will I pay for my hospital bills?”
Often, auto accident victims can't handle their responsibilities when they're hurt or recovering in Spring Arbor of Wilmington in Wilmington, NC. Without a personal injury attorney in Wilmington, NC, to advocate on their behalf, these same victims give official statements to law enforcement and insurance companies by mistake. As a result, many men and women hurt in car crashes accept very low settlement offers without understanding that they deserve more.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car wreck due to someone else's negligence, you're probably wondering if there's a legal way to ease your suffering. At Nagle & Associates, our car accident attorneys in North Carolina can review the facts of your case, engage your insurance company, and help get the ball rolling on your personal injury claim so you can begin to heal and get back to a normal life.
Trying to find the top personal injury attorney in Wilmington, NC, might seem difficult on the surface, but when you learn that Nage & Associates only handles serious motor vehicle accidents, the choice is easy. With more than two decades of experience only handling North Carolina motor vehicle accident cases, we've successfully recovered over $500 million in compensation for our clients.
Our firm is highly focused, with a proven track record in traumatic medicine, insurance regulations, and personal injury lawsuits. Founding attorney Carl Nagle is a former insurance claims adjuster and former insurance company lawyer. He knows exactly how to confront the insurance adjusters who are working now to oppose your claims. We also have two retired North Carolina State Troopers and four licensed NC auto insurance adjusters on staff. Our team stands ready to represent you and helping car accident victims is all we do.
We excel in employing top crash reconstruction experts, working with police to investigate collisions, preserving crucial evidence to establish fault and legal responsibility, and effectively presenting medical evidence to maximize settlements and trial outcomes. Additionally, we are skilled in managing settlements, minimizing external claims on settlement funds, and ensuring the highest tax-free payments for our clients at the conclusion of each case. Like Bellamy Mansion Museum in Wilmington, NC, we stand tall for our clients when they're at their lowest.
We refuse to handle all other types of legal matters because we focus exclusively on cases involving the following:
At Nagle & Associates, we aim to be THE authority on auto accidents and insurance law in North Carolina. We know how to respond to the aftermath of a serious accident and how to approach insurance companies to command their respect. When you choose our law firm, you can rest easy knowing we will collect the highest payment possible for our clients in every case we oversee.
What makes Nagle & Associates stand out from the crowd? As your personal injury lawyer, we're passionate about providing the highest level of support when you're facing some of the most difficult times in your life. We will help solve your problems, and our entire staff truly cares about your financial concerns and your medical recovery. We will work tirelessly to protect and enforce your rights.
Clients recommend our personal injury lawyers to their friends and family members because we provide:
Most law firms in North Carolina accept a wide range of cases. Many handle divorce, tax and business law, criminal defense law, and bankruptcy along with personal injury cases. Firms that “only” handle personal injury law typically handle vehicle injury cases along with slip and fall, premises liability, dog bites, workers compensation and many different types of injury cases.
They don't focus purely on motor vehicle crash law. Our firm ONLY handles personal injury claims resulting from serious motor vehicle accidents. We are masters of the law in this arena and are prepared to protect your rights, establish fault, identify all at-fault parties, access all available insurance policies/coverage, and secure the maximum tax-free payment on all of your injury claims.
We only handle cases involving genuine injuries resulting from serious accidents. We're not talking about a fender bender in the parking lot of highest rated True Blue Butcher and Table in Wilmington, NC. Our focus on high-value cases enables us to offer a reduced legal fee for settlements and trial verdicts. Nearly all other personal injury attorneys charge 1/3 of the settlement. If we take on your case, our fee is 1/4 of the settlement. With our more equitable fee, your share of the settlement is 75%, which is significantly more than the 66% portion that most firms allow.
Most personal injury law firms tack on additional expenses to their 1/3 legal fee. Those fees can include expenses such as postage, copy costs, administrative fees, and charges to outside vendors to collect medical bills and records. Our reduced 1/4 fee includes all case administration expenses.
Our attorney fees for cases that involve court proceedings are lower compared to what other personal injury lawyers charge. If the insurance company does not offer you fair payment, we will take legal action against all parties responsible and bring your case to trial. Other personal injury lawyers will take 40-44% of your injury claim money if a lawsuit is necessary. However, our fee for litigation is 1/3, which means that a larger portion of your personal injury compensation stays with you at the conclusion of your case.
Carl Nagle's extensive experience in both plaintiff and defense roles makes him a truly exceptional personal injury attorney in Wilmington, NC. He and his legal team now work only for individuals injured in vehicle accidents in North Carolina. Prior to focusing exclusively on representing crash victims, Carl Nagle spent several years working as an insurance claims adjuster in Atlanta. After graduating with top honors from the University of Georgia School of Law, Carl served as an insurance defense attorney. His firsthand experience in representing at-fault drivers and insurance companies enables him to predict and counter insurance defense tactics, and he knows how to push insurance companies to offer generous settlements in all cases.
We have seven offices spread across North Carolina, so there's likely one very close to you. Most things can be sorted out over the phone or by mail. Additionally, most cases are settled and result in payment with no court involvement, and this process can be managed without you having to leave your home. If your case needs to go to trial before a jury, we'll do this in your home county.
You aren't obligated to hire a lawyer to settle an accident claim. However, having a lawyer represent you in negotiations with the insurance company likely will result in a larger settlement. According to a report by the Insurance Research Council, 85% of the funds disbursed for bodily injury claims went to individuals who had retained legal counsel.
Former adjuster Carl Nagle offers this warning – “Insurance adjusters work only for the insurance company, and their goal is to minimize payment in every case. They are cost-control experts and they have no legal obligation to tell you what they truly owe. Whenever possible, they will deny valid claims and pay people less than they deserve”.
NC crash victims with serious injuries legally have nothing more than a “cause of action”, which means a right to sue the at-fault driver. Insurance companies know that victims who handle their cases without a lawyer present do not intend to sue, and likely also have no idea what their case is worth. Unrepresented victims are offered less than they deserve, and many settle for pennies on the dollar.
If you hire an attorney, you pay nothing up front and your lawyer beings working for you immediately. We handle all insurance company communications, ensuring that a skilled adjuster cannot misquote you or trick you into forfeiting your rights. We handle crash investigations and the task of gathering all of your medical bills, medical records, lost wage evidence and other case proofs. This is homework you will have to handle if you don't have legal representation. We assemble the case and highlight the medical evidence which adds value to your settlement We then threaten to file a lawsuit on your behalf, and apply legal and financial leverage to push for the highest settlement offer. After settlement, we negotiate discounts on unpaid medical bills and on health insurance claims against your settlement money. All of these efforts protect your rights and result in the highest possible tax-free settlement payment landing in your pocket. And your attorney is paid only if and when we deliver money to you.
Victims of careless commercial drivers who have high-limits insurance policies and victims who suffer more severe injuries are targeted by insurance companies. Sadly, the more extensive your medical expenses and other losses resulting from a car accident, the greater the likelihood that the other motorist's insurance company will contest your claim. Victims in high-damage cases should always involve an attorney to build and present their personal injury case.
Insurance companies prioritize safeguarding their profits over fair treatment of crash victims. Attempting to navigate negotiations with insurance adjusters and company lawyers on your own puts you at a disadvantage, as insurance companies have vast experience minimizing claim payments and extensive legal teams helping them oppose your case. Hiring personal injury representation is also a wise idea when you're trying to deal with one or more of the following situations:
Some motorists responsible for accidents don't have liability insurance or have only bought the lowest amount of insurance mandated by law. If you were involved in an accident caused by a driver without adequate insurance, a lawyer can assist in filing a claim with your own insurance coverage to compensate for the difference. We can often identify several policies that can be stacked together to vastly increase the pool of money available to pay your claims.
Complex injuries can necessitate costly medical treatment and long-term disability assistance. Without the guidance of a seasoned personal injury attorney, you may not be able to afford continuing care and upcoming medical expenses. Also, severe injuries often result in lasting or permanent symptoms and medical needs. Injury lawyers know how to retain VocReha experts and medical experts to develop the evidence which allows us to collect for future lost wages, future medical needs, and future pain and suffering.
A personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation for the damage caused to your vehicle, and arrange for an independent assessment to determine repair costs. When a client retains us to handle their injury claims, we handle all property damage claims for free. We never charge to help with vehicle repairs, total loss claims or help securing a rental car.
In North Carolina, we have the “pure contributory negligence” law. In this state, if a crash victim contributes slightly to causing their accident or injuries, they have no right to present ANY claims. If you are just 1% at fault, you get nothing for your car damage or injury claims. Insurance companies always try to place blame on victims injured in car accidents. By hiring a lawyer early, we make sure you never make a statement that kills your case. We also investigate the crash early and gather evidence proving all other drivers' fault, and proving that you were innocent and could not avoid the collision.
Losing a family member in a car accident is horrible, but it's even more tragic when they perish due to someone else's negligence. Surviving family members have a right to claim wrongful death benefits, but insurance companies will not simply volunteer fair payment. While you grieve the loss of your loved one, your wrongful death attorney can build the strongest case to help you secure justice and cover financial losses related to the death of your family member.
A traffic collision, also referred to as a car accident, happens when a vehicle crashes into another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other obstructions. Vehicle collisions can lead to different levels of vehicle damage, injuries to people inside, and, in some cases, even death. Annual reports from the past few years have indicated a consistent rise in vehicle accidents, injuries, and fatalities in North Carolina. The state recorded over 273,000 car crashes in 2022, leading to in excess of 110,000 injuries.
If you're in one of the following types of car crashes, you should contact an auto accident lawyer ASAP:
A head-on collision happens when two vehicles' front ends collide. This type of accident often results in very serious injuries and, sometimes, fatalities.
A rear-end collision happens when the front of one automobile crashes into the back of another vehicle. This type of collision happens most often when a driver fails to pay attention or is tailgating another driver.
When two vehicles are moving parallel to one another and make contact – usually due to an improper lane change – a sideswipe collision happens.
In a side-impact collision, one automobile crashes into the side of another, creating a “T” shape. These car wrecks are known to happen at intersections and typically produce serious injuries.
These auto wrecks are also known as chain reaction collisions and happen when three or more automobiles collide in a series of collisions. Multi-car pileups are known to happen in dense traffic and on large roadways like the busiest interstate highway in Wilmington, NC.
When a vehicle turns over on its side or on its roof, a rollover accident occurs, which can have catastrophic consequences for the driver and also for other motorists.
Regardless of the type of car accident you're involved in, you should know that North Carolina adheres to a fault-based system for wrecks. That means the driver found responsible for causing the wreck is usually accountable for the resulting damages. However, it's important to note that North Carolina also follows the pure contributory negligence rule. This means that if a plaintiff is found even partially at fault for the accident, they might be unable to collect payment for their property damage and injury claims.
While insurance companies should provide a lump sum to cover all accident-related expenses, in many cases, the amount they are willing to offer is typically unfair and insufficient without help from an experienced auto accident lawyer like Carl Nagle.
Whether you're driving near University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC or taking a short ride to the store, a car crash can happen in a split second. When it does, it can leave you confused and disoriented. However, taking quick action after an accident can help preserve your rights if you're injured. Keep these steps in mind if you're ever involved in a car wreck in North Carolina:
If someone's actions or lack of action caused you harm while driving, you may have a valid personal injury claim. There are many types of physical and emotional injuries that fall into different categories. At Nagle & Associates, P.A., we'll work with you one-on-one to gather evidence that can prove your case and help you receive the compensation you deserve. Whether you were in a collision involving a drunk driver, hit while walking to work, or sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident, our goal is to help you collect the full amount of compensation that the law allows.
At Nagle & Associates, we're proud to provide clients with the highest level of support when they are facing some of the most difficult challenges imaginable. We pledge to provide them with reliable legal representation and treat them with respect, compassion, and empathy. If you're suffering from the results of a major auto accident in North Carolina, know that we're here to help in any way that we're able.
Our team of car accident lawyers will work tirelessly to help you confront and solve your most immediate problems, to build the strongest personal injury case on your behalf, and to collect the highest amount of compensation through settlement or trial. When you or your family's health and financial security are on the line, don't settle for less – choose Nagle & Associates, P.A., today.
Wilmington StarNews...
Wilmington StarNews
We've reached the final leg of the fall sports season as teams across the Wilmington area gear up for crucial conference matchups before the playoffs start later in October for most sports.
Starting out this edition of the Anderson Air StarNews Athlete of the Week Poll, Wilmington Christian's Aiden McDonough scored five goals in two Patriots wins last week. The sophomore leads all area scorers this fall, finding the back of the net 30 times through 15 games.
Keeping things on the soccer field, Hoggard defender Johnny Morrello scored two goals in the Viking's 9-0 win over West Brunswick on Thursday. The senior's first goal of the match came from just outside the box and flew into the top left-hand corner of the net.
Finally, in cross country, Ashley's Dylan Park took home his first 5K win of the season as he bested the Mideastern Conference field in Leland Thursday with a time of 16 minutes, 47 seconds.
StarNews Athlete of the Week nominations come from our top performers list, which is published and updated weekly. Voting for this poll will end at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. Vote as many times as you like through the poll below.
WHO WON FRIDAY?Wilmington-area high school football Week 7 roundup: Who won Friday?
SCREAMING EAGLES'An amazing feeling': Ashley football's undying grit pushes Screaming Eagles past New Hanover
The family decided to make the trip, knowing their daughter was without much access to water or power.More VideosASHEVILLE, N.C. — As hundreds of families struggle to contact their loved ones after Hurricane Helene, one family made th...
The family decided to make the trip, knowing their daughter was without much access to water or power.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — As hundreds of families struggle to contact their loved ones after Hurricane Helene, one family made the trek into Asheville to help their daughter.
The catch: they would be traveling from the coastal town of Wilmington -- 331 miles away, on the other side of the state. Without traffic, the drive takes about five hours and 23 minutes.
"I just went through Charlotte and all the digital signs are showing that all western North Carolina roadways are closed," Leah Bradford said in a TikTok documenting the journey. "But we need to get her."
Bradford says the family was supposed to help her stepdaughter move out of her Asheville apartment to a new home in Raleigh that weekend, but the storm made that impossible.
They decided to make the trip anyway, knowing their daughter was without much access to water or power.
@watersedgeintuitive#helene #ashevillenc #ashevillenctravel
♬ original sound - Leah
"It was really kind of surreal," Bradford says. "We just were determined to get there to her, because without her having cellular service and not being able to contact her, it was a little unnerving."
Though her stepdaughter's apartment remained intact, Bradford recounted the devastation around Asheville.
"Oh my gosh. It was horrible," Bradford said. "There was an RV park that was completely underwater. It was just just nothing but water. It was just devastating."
Her stepdaughter is safe and with family in Raleigh, but she knows other families aren't as lucky.
"My heart just goes out to them, because the unknown is just terrible," Bradford said. "You just don't know, and your mind goes so many places."
Tiktoks that Bradford has made documenting the journey have gained nearly 300,000 views as of Wednesday evening. She's now encouraging people to donate. You can find a comprehensive list of ways to help here.
Contact Julie Kay at [email protected] and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Happy Riverfest weekend, everyone.The area's biggest fall festival is all about getting out and doing things in downtown Wilmington, whether it's wandering the streets with the masses or finding a concert or performance that intrigues you. Plenty of stuff to check out this weekend outside of downtown as well, so let's get things started.If you want to look a bit further ahead, check out ...
Happy Riverfest weekend, everyone.
The area's biggest fall festival is all about getting out and doing things in downtown Wilmington, whether it's wandering the streets with the masses or finding a concert or performance that intrigues you. Plenty of stuff to check out this weekend outside of downtown as well, so let's get things started.
If you want to look a bit further ahead, check out our list of 25 Wilmington-area fall festivals for 2024 and 55 fall concerts you need to know about. To plan things out beyond this weekend, check the links below.
Top tunes:From rock and jam to jazz and classical, 55 great concerts to see in Wilmington this fall
Autumn fun:Celebrate fall in Wilmington with these 25 can't-miss festivals
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Oct. 5-6 in downtown Wilmington: Wilmington's biggest annual fall festival since its founding in 1979, Riverfest features a slam-packed street fair with food booths and vendors, along with children's entertainment, live music and a car show. New this year: Instead of the traditional fireworks, Riverfest will present the first ever "Open Sky Drone Show" in North Carolina. Details at WilmingtonRiverfest.com.
A Riverfest runs through it:Downtown Wilmington festival looks back on 45 years
Oct. 4-6at Thalian Hall: Thalian Association Community Theatre presents the musical based on Mel Brooks' classic 1974 comic horror comedy. Read our review. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4-5, 2 p.m. Sept. 29 and Oct. 6. 910-632-2285.
Theater review:Thalian Association's 'Young Frankenstein' gets October started on a supremely silly note
Oct. 3-6, Mainstage Theatre in UNCW's Cultural Arts Building: The University of North Carolina Wilmington's Department of Theatre presents this play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, a finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize in Drama. It's a modern adaptation of "Everyman," a 15th-century British morality play. UNCW theater professor Elizabeth Wellman directs. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3-5, 2 p.m. Oct. 6. Tickets are $15; $12 for seniors, UNCW employees and alumni; and $6 for students (sales tax included). 910-962-3500.
Oct. 4-5at Dead Crow Comedy Room: Stand-up comic and actor has an extensive resume that includes multiple appearances on "The Tonight Show" and performances at comedy festivals around the world. Thune's a down-to-earth yet absurdist comic who likes to bring original comedy songs into his act. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Oct. 4-5, tickets are $18 and $28.
Oct. 4-6 at Thalian Hall (studio theater): Wilmington comedy troupe Pineapple-Shaped Lamps presents the third installment of its occasional series of original horror-comedy sketches. Full title, appropriately enough, is "Laughing in the Dark: Origins: Resurrections: The Final Chapter: The New Blood: Season of the Witch." First staged in 2016, then again in 2019, the sketches send up all manner of pop-culture horror tropes, and a few Wilmington references usually manage to worm their ways in as well. 7:30 p.m Oct. 4-5, 3 p.m. Oct. 6. 910-632-2285.
Oct. 4 at DREAMS Garage: Fundraiser for Wilmington nonprofit DREAMS Center for Arts Education takes the form of a Low Country shrimp boil, with live music by Raleigh band Quentin Talley & The Soul Providers and Wilmington DJ Bigg B. Proceeds go to support DREAMS' mission of providing equitable access to arts education for area youth and teenagers. 6-9 p.m. Oct. 4 at DREAMS, 901 Fanning St. Single tickets start at $60, available in advance and at the door.
Oct. 5 at Wrightsville Beach Park: Celebration of canines and canine agility has been happening annually at Wrightsville Beach Park for three decades now. The public can watch or enter their dogs in the disc-catching contest, no prior experience needed. If your dog's not athletic, there are also prizes for best personality and best dressed, along with best-dressed team. 11 a.m. Oct. 5. Free to attend.
Oct. 5 at Carolina Beach Lake Park: Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce presents this fourth annual family-friendly celebration of pets, their owners, and pet-friendly businesses. Pets in the Park will feature live music, an "ask the vet" booth, food trucks, face-painting, pet costume and trick contests, giveaways and a mimosa and beer garden. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 5. Admission is $5, free for kids under 10.
Oct. 5 in Belville Riverwalk Park: Event features vendors, games, food trucks, family activities and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 5, free.
Oct. 5 at Halyburton Park: Educational, family-friendly festival is dedicated to raising awareness about controlled burns in the longleaf pine ecosystem. Features activities for kids (crafts, games and more), fire equipment on display, hayrides, educational exhibits, live tunes from the Folkstone String Band, food trucks, juggling demos, raptor shows and, for the festival's grand finale, a live controlled burn demo. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 5, free.
Oct. 5 at CFCC Wilson Center: Retiring WSO conductor Steven Errante will lead the first concert of his final season, his 39th with the orchestra. On the bill is Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5, 910-362-7999.
Bittersweet symphony:After 39 years, Wilmington's conductor to retire
Oct. 5 at Bourgie Nights: Billed as an intimate "evening with" the former guitarist and singer of North Carolina pop/rock icons The Connells. 8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show Oct. 5. Advance tickets start at $20.
Oct. 5 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Multi-artist bill including rapper Chubb Rock, DJ Bigg B, Mike Lang and others in a concert featuring a range of musical styles. 6 p.m. Oct. 5, tickets start at $35.
Oct. 5 at The Palm Room: Wilmington electronic duo made up of a DJ and a classically trained violinist will get the crowd dancing at this Wrightsville Beach venue. 10 p.m. Oct. 5, cover at the door.
Oct. 6at Beckwith Recital Hall: Chamber Music Wilmington presents this innovative five-piece group with an uncommon instrumentation: clarinet, alto sax, bassoon, bass clarinet and oboe. Playing work by Nina Simone and other composers. 4 p.m. Oct. 6, tickets are $19 and $39.
Oct. 6 at The Sandspur: Wilmington rock act that includes Ben Moore and Chad Troutman has a big, driving sound and pithy lyrics about spam callers and other undesirables. The Other Men play several songs by Troutman's former band, iconic Wilmington indie-rockers Glow in the Dark Scars. With The Temp Agency. 3 p.m. Oct. 6, free.
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Workers from the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) are striking outside of the Port of Wilmington making demands for better pay.At midnight on Oct. 1, workers from the ILA began their strike with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX). The contract between the two parties expired and union workers say they have new demands that need to be ...
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Workers from the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) are striking outside of the Port of Wilmington making demands for better pay.
At midnight on Oct. 1, workers from the ILA began their strike with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX). The contract between the two parties expired and union workers say they have new demands that need to be met.
Workers with the ILA across the country say their pay hasn’t been raised for years, although the price of everything else has. They are demanding better wages, fair rights, and job security.
“It takes money to live,” said Gregory Washington, president of ILA Local 1426. “Everybody else is steadily moving forward and we’re creeping.”
Washington says for years workers have been told they will get better contracts, but nothing has changed.
”We have been waiting and waiting and waiting and our president says the time is now,” said Washington.
However, union workers say it’s not just about the pay, they fear that artificial intelligence and automated machines will replace their jobs.
“We’re out here fighting for our jobs, we’re here because automation has taken over everything,” said Washington.
Charles Seaton, the president of another ILA local chapter, echoes Washington.
“They want to automate these jobs, get rid of us, maybe not right away, but in a long-term fashion, and we have to save these jobs for Americans and our families,” said Seaton.
Washington says as technology evolves, workers want to be a part of that technology.
“We say train us to do the things that you have to do to keep those machines running. So if you want to replace us with machines give us jobs where we can keep them running,” Washington added.
The two sides remain far apart as the union rejected an offer Monday from the United States Maritime Alliance that reportedly included a 50% wage hike over the next six years.
Washington says union workers also want to be compensated for the work they did during COVID. Washington claims workers are questioning if they are valued by USMX.
“We had over 100 people die during COVID while we were out there on those ships and people were at home sitting in their living room doing their work from home, so we want something for it,” Washington says.
Depending on how long the strike lasts, it could impact the economy and make things harder for people trying to recover from storm damage.
Executive director at the state port, Brian Clark, says the port doesn’t have a hand in the negotiations, but it hopes the two parties can come to an agreement sooner rather than later.
“From our standpoint, we would like to see both parties back at the table. I think it’s very important that they continue negotiations reach an agreement, and that’ll allow all the ports on the East Coast and the Gulf Coast to reopen to full operations,” said Clark.
Clark also provided the following statement Tuesday morning:
“The Master Contract between the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) has expired and there is a work stoppage at ports along the U.S. East and Gulf coasts. The Master Contract is an agreement between the ILA and the carriers and direct employers that make up the USMX. North Carolina Ports is not a party to the agreement and therefore is not a participant in the negotiations. North Carolina Ports is hopeful that both parties will return to the negotiating table and reach an agreement that allows all the ports of the East and Gulf Coast to resume operations.
North Carolina Ports is recognizing the work stoppage and has developed the following contingency plan. North Carolina Ports employees working in areas affected by the strike will be temporarily reassigned to other areas as needed.
The Port of Wilmington’s South (Container) Gate is closed for the pickup or delivery of cargo until an agreement is reached. No container vessel operations will be conducted until further notice. No intermodal rail cargo will be worked on or off of the rail at the Port of Wilmington. The Charlotte Inland Port is operating as normal. NC Ports extended its South (container) Gate hours over the weekend in an effort to help customers and port users prior to the work stoppage.
For general cargo operations, the Port of Wilmington’s North Gate and the Port of Morehead City will be operating on a normal schedule. Tenant operations and general cargo yard operations will continue as normal in both ports. No general cargo vessel operations will be conducted until further notice.”
Washington told WECT that ILA union staff have a good relationship with the ILA and they hope to maintain it for the future.
Copyright 2024 WECT. All rights reserved.
“Profit over people is unacceptable, support ILA workers,” read multiple signs Tuesday at the Port of Wilmington as longshoremen and other workers gathered to strike.The Master Contract between the International Longshoreman’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance expired, and both parties have not reached a new agreement. Longshoremen across the East Coast and Gulf Coast are fighting for higher pay and fair treatment and at Wilmington’s port the situation is no different.Jus...
“Profit over people is unacceptable, support ILA workers,” read multiple signs Tuesday at the Port of Wilmington as longshoremen and other workers gathered to strike.
The Master Contract between the International Longshoreman’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance expired, and both parties have not reached a new agreement. Longshoremen across the East Coast and Gulf Coast are fighting for higher pay and fair treatment and at Wilmington’s port the situation is no different.
Just days after Helene left widespread devastation in western North Carolina, U.S. Rep. David Rouzer, whose district includes the Port of Wilmington, posted on X that the strike could cripple response and recovery efforts, as well as have disastrous effects on the local economy.
According to USA TODAY, each day of the strikes across the East and Gulf coasts could cost the U.S. economy up to $5 billion as imports and exports are blocked, some economists estimated.
The strike began Tuesday, and the Port of Wilmington has developed a contingency plan to recognize the strike. The port’s South Container Gate will remain closed for pickup or delivery of cargo until an agreement is reached, according to North Carolina Ports.
The North Carolina Ports is not a party to the agreement and therefore is not a participant in the negotiations.
“North Carolina Ports is hopeful that both parties will return to the negotiating table and reach an agreement that allows all the ports of the East and Gulf Coast to resume operations,” the statement said.
More:How many ships pass through the Port of Wilmington? | MyReporter
More:As other Southeast ports get deeper, what's the status of Wilmington's expansion project?
According to USA TODAY, Wilmington is just one of the 36 ports that has shut down as 45,000 union workers walked off the job.
The state-run Port of Wilmington is the largest and busiest of the two deepwater ports in North Carolina, the other being in Morehead City. Container traffic makes up a big chunk of the local port’s business, with the U.S. Department of Transportation ranking Wilmington the 21st busiest container port in the country.
Sandwiched between the much bigger ports of Norfolk, Virginia, to the north and Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, to the south, officials with the Wilmington port have aggressively marketed the local port as offering a faster, congestion-free alternative to its larger competitors.
The 284-acre port also has invested significant sums to improve its landside infrastructure to keep up with its neighboring ports and the increased size of the container ships now plying the East Coast. That includes improved berthing areas, additional intermodal rail access to get trucks off local roads and bridges, including the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, and a new gate complex to make accessing the port faster and easier.According to an economic impact study by the N.C. Department of Transportation and N.C. State University, port activities statewide contribute $660 million annually in state and local tax revenues and help support more than 88,200 jobs.
Imports will be affected providing less product, cars, auto and machinery parts, clothing, pharmaceuticals, wine and spirits, holiday goods like toys and seafood, according to USA TODAY. The shutdowns come just days after hurricane Helene caused widespread destruction to Western North Carolina.
Charles Seaton, president of the Local 1766 clerical union for the port, said he wishes the contract would be settled because he knows the impacts that the shutdowns will have.
“I hate that it’s impacting the country, but at the end of the day, this is a fight for American jobs,” Seaton said.
During the pandemic, Seaton said the workers at the port “never missed a lick. ... We went to work every day, every night, 24/7,” and that he’s ready for everyone to be compensated the way they deserve.
Seaton, who has been working for the port for over 50 years, was at the port during the last strike in 1977. He said it lasted 103 days over 80 cents. But he said the economy now isn’t like it was back then as it’s much more dependent upon containerization. Seaton said America works on a one-week or two-week inventory, so this is something that needs to be figured out soon.
He said the port authority has been helpful and has been working to recognize the strike, providing portable bathrooms and closing the container gate, but that he hopes that the contract will be sorted out and the hard work of his colleagues will be recognized.
One longshoreman said that during the pandemic, he and his coworkers were in harm’s way handling imports from across the world, but their pay still wasn’t raised. He said that needs to change. He also said that prices keep increasing to ship containers, but even though they are working to unload, they haven’t gotten the increase in pay.
According to CNBC, the ILA is seeking a 61.5% increase over six years. It also wants protections against automation.
“They (USMX) don’t care about us,” said ILA President Harold Daggett in an online post Monday. “They would love to see automation up and down the whole East and Gulf Coast, trust me when I tell you that if it was up to them, we would have no jobs.”
StarNews reporter Gareth McGrath contributed to this story.
