Free Consultation
(800) 411-1583
Our client was riding his motorcycle back from the Blue Ridge Parkway when an approaching driver attempted a left turn directly across his lane.....
Client was riding his motorcycle when a tractor-trailer driver turned across his lane. Trucking company initially refused payment...
Motorcycle collision results in severe arm injuries. The defense attorneys and at-fault driver denied the claim and argued that our client was partially at-fault for the accident....
Guest passenger on motorcycle involved in a collision with another vehicle...
Motorcyclist injured because another driver attempted a left turn directly across his lane of travel. Injury to leg and foot along with multiple bruises and abrasions...
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...
Motorcycle accidents cause serious injuries, and we offer the help you need when you need it most. Carl Nagle is a fellow motorcyclist, with over 40 years of riding experience. Our firm is North Carolina's ONLY pure motor vehicle injury law firm. We only handle serious injury cases arising from roadway accidents. Carl personally handles all motorcycle accident injury cases, and we also offer the lowest legal fee of all NC personal injury law firms. We offer a free consultation now, and if you need our help, our fee is 25% of settlement – other firms charge 33.3%. Also, if you need our help, we can get started today with no up-front costs or fees. With a signature, we begin working now to protect and enforce your legal rights.
Driving a motorcycle isn't like operating any other kind of vehicle. The rush you get as a motorcycle driver is undeniable. Unfortunately, so are the risks that come with driving them. Despite only 3% of road users being motorcyclists, in 2021, there were 3,712 motorcycle accidents in North Carolina. 210 of those accidents were fatal. That means that in one year alone, dozens and dozens of families lost loved ones due to motorcycle crashes. Often, these tragic accidents aren't caused by mistakes the motorcycle rider makes. They're due to another driver's negligence.
In the event of a motorcycle accident, the probability of sustaining significant injuries is considerably higher, as even the most effective motorcycle gear can only offer limited protection. In collisions with other vehicles, we have no protection. Furthermore, the other vehicle involved in the accident will likely be much larger, increasing the chances of injury or even fatality. Although the other driver's insurance may cover some of the expenses for your medical bills and motorcycle repairs, their insurance company will make every effort to minimize the amount they have to pay. Carl Nagle is a former claims adjuster and former insurance company lawyer. He knows how to oppose insurance adjusters and avoid the insurance company's efforts to minimize your injury claims. If you've been injured while riding your motorcycle, you deserve generous compensation – but without the help of a Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys, you may only get a fraction of what you need.
When you're trying to recover from a motorcycle crash, finding the best Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys can seem like a losing effort. But when you discover that Nagle & Associates only handles roadway accident cases, you get immediate peace of mind knowing that your legal rights are fully protected. We will push for the highest settlement, and help to make sure the lion's share of that tax-free money stays with you. And if the insurance company lowballs you with an unfair offer, we will bring your case to a jury in the county where city sits County Superior Court in Wilmington, NC.
Our law firm only handles motorcycle, car, truck and other roadway accidents. This high degree of focus has helped us to master traffic laws, insurance regulations, trial practice and evidence laws, and the law of damages. We also have unparalleled experience in traumatic medicine, and we have worked directly with the best doctors and surgeons in NC. Our founder, Carl Nagle, brings valuable experience as a former insurance claims adjuster and insurance company lawyer, giving us unique insight into dealing with large insurance companies with vast resources. With two retired North Carolina State Troopers and four licensed North Carolina auto insurance adjusters on our team, we're well-equipped to pursue all legal claims arising from your motorcycle accident.
We have a strong track record of working with top crash reconstruction experts, collaborating with law enforcement to investigate accidents, and preserving crucial evidence to establish fault and legal responsibility. Moreover, we're adept at presenting medical evidence to maximize settlements and trial outcomes. We also micro-manage all financial aspects of your settlement, minimizing external claims against your settlement money, and ensuring the highest tax-free payments for our clients at the conclusion of each case.
We focus on a number of different motorcycle incidents, including the following:
At Nagle & Associates, we aim to be the authority on motorcycle accidents and insurance law in North Carolina. We know what steps to take in the aftermath of a serious motorcycle crash and how to deal with large insurance companies trying to penny-pinch you. When you choose our motorcycle accident law firm, you can sleep better at night knowing we'll obtain the largest settlement as soon as possible. We will deliver the money you need to help you put your bike accident properly into your past.
You might be thinking to yourself, “What makes Nagle & Associates the ideal motorcycle accident law firm in North Carolina?” What sets us apart from other law firms is our intense focus on auto accident cases and our unwavering client dedication. Like Bellamy Mansion Museum in Wilmington, NC, we stand tall for you when you're feeling low and make it a point to provide passionate representation on your behalf.
Past clients injured in motorcycle accidents recommend their friends and family members to our law firm because we prioritize the following:
Most law firms in our state handle a wide range of cases, from divorce and criminal defense to tax and business law. Firms that only handle personal injury also handle slip & fall, dog bite, assault, premises liability, Workers Compensation and disability cases. However, our firm ONLY handles personal injury claims resulting from serious motor vehicle accidents. With decades of experience only representing motor vehicle accident victims, we've mastered the intricacies of auto accident law in North Carolina. We're dedicated to protecting your rights, establishing fault, identifying all at-fault parties, finding and accessing available insurance coverage, and securing the maximum payment for your injury claims.
Carl Nagle is an exceptional Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys Wilmington, NC, with extensive experience in representing crash victims who were hurt due to negligent drivers. Prior to focusing exclusively on crash victims, he worked as an insurance claims adjuster in Atlanta and served as an insurance defense attorney after graduating with top academic honors from the University of Georgia School of Law. His insurance industry experience allows him to predict and counter insurance defense tactics and push insurance companies to offer generous settlements.
We deal exclusively with cases that involve verifiable injuries resulting from serious motorcycle accidents. We're not talking about a minor incident in a parking garage. Focusing on high-value cases allows us to offer a lower legal fee for settlements and trial verdicts. Most other personal injury lawyers charge 1/3 of the settlement, but if we take on your case, you'll only be charged for 1/4. With a lower fee than our competition, your keep a larger share of the tax-free money we collect through settlement or trial. Most cases settle, but we stand ready to conduct a jury trial in your home county if the insurance company refuses to offer full value for your injuries and suffering.
Nagle & Associates has a statewide presence, with seven offices across North Carolina. However, we truly offer a local presence for every client. We have investigators who handle crash investigations wherever collisions occur, and we conduct trials in all 100 North Carolina counties. We treat our clients like close friends and family, and it's important for us to go above and beyond for our friends and neighbors. That's why, if you're still recovering from your injuries in Spring Arbor of Wilmington in Wilmington, NC, or you live in a remote area, we're happy to come and meet with you where you are no expense if this helps to get your case started.
Most issues that come across our desk can be resolved via phone or email. Furthermore, most cases we handle are resolved through a simple and private settlement, with no need for lawsuit filings or court intervention. Typically, that means there's no major travel involved on your end. As noted above, if your case does proceed to trial in front of a jury, we'll ensure that it takes place in your home county.
If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident in North Carolina, it's important to be aware of your rights. North Carolina statutes and case law establish valuable laws and legal rights to protect you and ensure that you receive fair treatment in the aftermath of the accident. It's essential to understand your rights as an injured motorcyclist and take active measures to safeguard them. One of the best ways to do so is to seek the advice of an experienced Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys in Wilmington, NC, who can help you navigate the legal process, pursue fair compensation, and achieve the best possible outcome for your case. Whether you choose our firm or another, injured riders should seek one or more free legal consultations to understand their legal rights and options before they start cooperating with insurance adjusters.
Some of the rights you have as a hurt motorcycle rider include:
You have the option to pursue compensation for your injuries by filing a personal injury claim against the responsible party. Because North Carolina uses a fault-based system which requires insurance on all registered motor vehicles, you can also get compensation from the negligent party's insurance company.
If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident as a result of someone else's negligence, you are entitled to pursue compensation for your damages, injuries, and losses. This can encompass past and future lost wages and lost earning ability, payment for past medical bills and future medical needs, and payment for pain, suffering, disability, scarring and disfigurement and lost quality-of-life. Insurance adjusters seek to minimize these payments, but we push them to pay a settlement that reflects what we would expect from a jury in your home county.
Working without a lawyer in your motorcycle compensation case is a little bit like trying to conduct your own trial with no training and no lawyer in the ---countywherecitysits------ County Superior Court in Wilmington, NC. It's exceedingly difficult. Insurance adjusters are cost control experts, and they are being paid to minimize your injury claims. They will not help you find reasons to pay you more. Instead, they will try to deny the claim entirely by placing partial blame with you. In North Carolina, if you are just 1% at fault for your accident, you have no right to compensation. If you are clearly innocent, the adjuster will still seek to pay you as little as possible. Throughout the claims process, you have the option to enlist the services of a ----Wilmington------------ Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys who will work to represent your interests and speak on your behalf. With their assistance, you can safeguard your rights, maneuver through intricate legal processes, and succeed in all negotiations with insurance companies to secure equitable compensation.
You have the option to seek a just resolution that fully compensates you for your injuries and losses. When you work with Nagle & Associates, our team will evaluate the complete scope of your damages and engage in discussions with the insurance company to achieve a fair and equitable settlement.
If an equitable agreement cannot be achieved through negotiations, you have the option to bring your case to trial. In this scenario, a jury will assess liability and grant damages according to the evidence that is provided.
You have the right to challenge a court decision or insurance settlement if there is legal error by the judge or in the court proceedings that resulted in the unfavorable litigation result. If needed, a Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys in Wilmington can guide you through the appeals process and act on your behalf during your appellate proceedings.
You are entitled to privacy concerning your medical records and personal details. Carl Nagle and our team of motorcycle accident lawyers always make it a point to safeguard your privacy and guarantee that confidential information is managed properly throughout your claims process.
Navigating a motorcycle accident claim can seem like you're trying to complete an obstacle course at Morningside of Wilmington in Wilmington, NC. It involves many complexities, which is one reason why it's so important to work with an attorney who can ensure every detail in your case is covered. The legal team at Nagle & Associates will collect evidence, including medical records, eyewitness testimonies, and photographic proof. From there, your lawyer will construct a compelling case to effectively present your story and help you secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.
When you're hurt in a motorcycle wreck in North Carolina, and it's not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. Some of the most typical forms of compensation include:
If you are unable to work due to your injuries, you might be eligible for payment for the wages you have missed and for your potential future earnings if your injuries impact your long-term employment prospects.
You may be eligible to receive payment for medical expenses incurred in the past, present, and future due to your hospital stay, injuries, medications, surgical procedures, rehab, and therapy.
This type of compensation is for the physical discomfort, mental anguish, and emotional trauma resulting from the accident and your injuries. This is tax-free money and is often the largest share of a personal injury settlement.
This includes replacing or repairing your motorcycle and any other items that got damaged in the crash, like safety gear or personal possessions.
When intentional misconduct or extreme and reckless conduct results in a motorcycle accident, courts sometimes award you punitive damages. This additional compensation is meant as a punishment for the at-fault individual(s) and is also designed to deter similar behavior in the future.
One of the saddest consequences of motorcycle accidents is that they often leave the victim disfigured or disabled for the rest of their life. If your emotional well-being, quality of life, and ability to work are permanently impacted due to no fault of your own, you are entitled to compensation for this unfortunate experience.
In fatal motorcycle accident cases, surviving family members have a right to pursue a wrongful death case on behalf of the fatally injured motorcycle rider. The compensation from a wrongful death case is designed to provide financial assistance to surviving dependents, and to pay family members for the lost relationship, the loss of services and companionship of the decedent, and other damages incurred by the family due to the fatal bike crash.
To receive the full compensation you deserve as soon as possible, consult with the knowledgeable attorneys at Nagle & Associates Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys in Wilmington. We will thoroughly investigate your case, manage adjusters who oppose you, build and present compelling medical evidence of your injuries, negotiate with insurance companies, and advocate for your interests in court when necessary.
It doesn't take a graduate from University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC to know that talking about roadway crash injuries is an uncomfortable subject. That's especially true when motorcycles are involved, because they're often the most gruesome and fatal.
Here are just a few of the most common types of injuries that motorcycle drivers recover from:
When you are hit in a motorcycle crash and fall off your bike, you often skid on the road surface, causing lacerations, abrasions, and severe skin damage.
Serious head injuries are both common and severe in motorcycle crashes. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of damaging your brain or skull, but it's not a foolproof solution. Severe traumatic brain injuries often occur, even when bikers wear full face helmets.
Accidents involving motorcycles often result in internal injuries like harm to organs, internal bleeding, and injuries to the abdomen or chest.
Injuries to your spinal cord can vary in severity, ranging from minor contusions to the spinal cord to severe damage that can result in paralysis or lifelong disabilities.
Motorcycle collisions frequently cause fractures and joint injuries, such as joint dislocations and broken bones in the legs, ribs, arms, and pelvis.
Motorcycle accidents have the potential to cause a range of psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can manifest as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and hypervigilance. Motorcycle crash victims may also experience heightened anxiety, characterized by feelings of unease, restlessness, and worry.
Though motorcycle drivers must wear helmets in North Carolina, headgear can only do so much for you when you're hit by another motorist. Injuries can vary from small cuts and bruises to serious facial damage, such as dental injuries and harm to the jaw or eyes.
In the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle accident, there are some general rules you should follow. Think before you speak. Don't accept guilt, even if the crash was your fault. Avoid sharing details on social media or discussing your case with anyone except your Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys in Wilmington, NC, or your doctor. Lastly, refrain from making any statements to the media if they show up at the scene.
If you or a family member has been injured in a motorcycle accident in North Carolina, please reach out to us for an immediate, complimentary legal consultation. Our seasoned attorneys can provide valuable guidance over the phone on how to safeguard your legal rights, dodge insurance adjuster defense tactics, and secure the compensation you deserve.
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.
