US ports longshoremen’s strike (East and Gulf coasts)

Just drove past the picket line on Tchoupitoulas St on the way to work - all the picket signs say "FIGHT AUTOMATION! SAVE JOBS!'

I assumed the automation piece was just a bargaining chip for higher wages but maybe not. Seems like bad strategy to me - I think they can sell the public on higher wages to make up for inflation or even COVID hazard pay. But the automation fight seems a lot harder to win.