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The question was not what was a fair wage, nor whether port profits are high. The question was whether automation increases wages. I still maintain that it does, even as it reduces the number of workers.

In the long run, the only thing that will keep worker jobs is productivity.

If I could just snap my fingers and force a new economic system, I'd have all wages/salaries/compensation be based on the Moby Dick model. Everyone, from newby floor worker to CEO gets a pre-defined share of the profits. If there are no profits (like, during a strike) there is no pay - for anyone. If the company makes huge profits, then the workers get a share of that.

Most Union-model profit-sharing is based on an assumption of future profits, and they want to be paid as though those profits were already banked. That's not the same.

But if a company makes a huge profit and it all goes to the executive offices, then eventually profits will fall. The problem with our American model is that the executives get their huge payday, and when the company folds due to lack of productivity, they have long retired with their money. I think that model is as bad as the demand for higher wages not linked to higher productivity.