Experts warn store prices will soar and shelves will be empty as greedy dockworkers strike over 80% pay raise

US ports from Maine to Texas could shut down Monday night if a union representing about 45,000 dockworkers carries through with a threatened strike. A lengthy shutdown of 36 ports - which handle half of America's cargo from ships - could raise cause shortages and price increases at big and small retailers alike as the holiday shopping season approaches. Retail expert Neil Saunders of Global Data told DailyMail.om that the strike will cause two main problems - shoppers will face higher prices and empty shelves. Ship to shore cranes and gangs of longshoremen work the container ship YM Witness at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah in Georgia in 2021 He said: 'First, it will push up costs for retailers and, therefore, prices for consumers. Jonathan Gold, vice president of the supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation, the nation´s largest retail trade group, said the possible strike comes as the supply network continues to face challenges from ongoing Houthi attacks on commercial shipping that have essentially shut down the use of the Red Sea and Suez Canal.