A threatened Oct. 1 strike by dockworkers at ports on the U.S. East Coast and Gulf of Mexico would immediately disrupt the flow of goods in the country, the North America chief executive of French container carrier CMA CGM (CMACG.

Tuesday, October 1 is the date set by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) to begin its strike if a new labor contract isn’t agreed upon with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX).

The spice must flow – Fears of the strike have enveloped the shipping community and have caused freight to shift back to the West Coast. In fact, the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles have both been experiencing record cargo volumes this summer, surpassing pandemic-level numbers.

U.S. President Joe Biden does not intend to invoke a federal law to prevent a port strike on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico if dockworkers fail to secure a new labor contract by an Oct. 1 deadline,

Imports of U.S. container cargo in August jumped 12.9% from a year ago as a summer volume surge delayed cargo at major ports

Bargaining over pay and automation has stalled, causing a possible work stoppage. Big retailers may have an edge if supply chain woes return.

A strike starting Oct. 1 could shut down ports in Newark and the East Coast and upend the supply chain for billions of dollars of consumer goods.