Oklahomans Stocked Up On The Wrong Supplies As Port Strike Pauses

Earlier this week, a port strike began on the East Coast, and as shortage fears loomed, Oklahomans took it upon themselves to stock up on supplies. But as pictures of local stores in Oklahoma began making the rounds on social media, those familiar with the strike began to question people's choices.

Images of store shelves depleted of toilet paper and eggs was shocking and may have triggered some pandemic PTSD for some. But others were left perplexed because if the port strike was to last a couple of weeks, it wouldn't be toilet paper and eggs that would be victims of a shortage since about 99 percent of these items are produced within the United States - the majority isn't imported, therefore the port strike wouldn't affect these products.

But as of Thursday, Oct. 4, this mad stock up by Oklahomans was for nothing, and not just because it was the incorrect items. The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) announced that they would pause the strike until Jan. 15, 2025, as the union and the companies have struck a temporary contract deal.

The union began its strike at midnight on Tuesday, Oct. 1 as the contract between the union and the companies expired. The unions and the companies had not been able to come to an agreement on a new contract and the union issued a strike with nearly 45,000 dockworkers.

Experts urged citizens to not panic as the strike began because impacts to the supply chain and the economy wasn't expected imminently. The strike would have needed to last a couple of weeks before people would begin to experience price increases and a shortage on items, including fruit, chocolate, alcohol, shoes, auto parts, electronics and medical supplies - not toilet paper and eggs.

@abcnewslive ABC News’ Elizabeth Schulze has the latest on the now suspended dockworkers strike, telling ABC News’ Linsey Davis: “It will take about a week for every day of the strike just to clear this backlog so there will be some ripple effects ... [but] the consumer shouldn’t feel the impact of this.” #dockworker #strike #consumerism #economy ♬ original sound - ABC News Live

Now that the strike is paused, Oklahomans will have to find a way to utilize all their eggs before they're wasted. As for toilet paper, at least that will keep till next year.