Governor Rick Scott Thursday warned Florida's economy will suffer if a labor dispute at state ports isn't resolved by Saturday.
That's when the contract between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance will expire.
Negotiators are still trying to hammer out an agreement.
Scott sent President Obama a letter last week, asking him to invoke the Taft-Hartley Act to prevent a work stoppage.
"I'm very optimistic that the president will act, but I haven't gotten any response yet. If he doesn't act and we do have a strike, then we'll look at what else we can be doing", said Scott.
Florida port officials say only cargo in containers would be affected, not perishable goods – but that a strike could cost the state more than one billion dollars a day.