Minimize Disruption from a US Port Strike.  

• Early Federal Intervention: The government can use mediation services like the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) to bring parties together for negotiations before a strike begins.
• Taft-Hartley Act: If the strike severely threatens national health or safety, the president can invoke the Taft-Hartley Act to force workers back on the job for an 80-day cooling-off period while negotiations continue.

2. Improved Negotiation Strategies

• Phased Agreements: A phased approach to salary hikes and benefits can be more acceptable to both sides, especially in volatile economic conditions.
• Third-party Facilitators: Hiring neutral, third-party facilitators can help defuse tensions and offer new perspectives on deadlocked issues, such as revenue distribution from container royalties.

3. Supply Chain Adaptation

• Diversify Cargo Routes: Redirect shipments through unaffected or international ports (e.g., Canadian or Mexican ports) and increase use of rail and trucking options to move goods.
• Port Automation: Invest in port automation to maintain limited operations during strikes, though this can be a contentious solution if not balanced with workers’ interests.

4. Business Preparedness

• Stockpiling & Supply Diversification: Encourage businesses to maintain larger inventories of critical goods in preparation for potential disruptions. Diversify suppliers to reduce reliance on affected ports.
• Inventory Management Tools: Invest in advanced inventory forecasting and supply chain risk management tools to anticipate and manage disruptions more effectively.

5. Private & Public Partnerships

• Collaboration with Federal Agencies: Work with the Department of Transportation and the Coast Guard to keep critical operations running.
• Temporary Workforce Solutions: In cases of severe disruption, consider bringing in temporary or cross-trained workers to fill essential roles until negotiations are resolved.

6. Crisis Communication

• Transparent Communication: Establish clear communication channels between stakeholders (port authorities, government, businesses, and the public) to update on delays and mitigation efforts.
• Public Relations Campaigns: Use media campaigns to manage public perception, avoid panic buying, and maintain trust in supply chain systems.

7. Legislative Changes

• Incentivize Good-Faith Bargaining: Strengthen policies that encourage timely and fair labor negotiations to prevent future strikes.
• Investment in Infrastructure: Invest in port infrastructure upgrades (automation, alternative transportation hubs) to reduce dependency on specific regions.

Implementing these strategies can help minimize disruptions, protect the economy, and reduce the duration of a port strike in the U.S.