Labor negotiations at US West Coast ports are at a stalemate! Multiple industry associations urge the White House to intervene!

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The National Retail Federation on Monday urged the White House to intervene in labor negotiations at West Coast ports that have been ongoing since May last year, citing concerns about disruptions to shipping during this year’s holiday shopping season, foreign media reported.

The contract between the Pacific Maritime Association and the ILWU International Longshore and Warehouse Union expired at the end of June last year, but the two sides have been slow to reach an agreement due to disagreements over wages.

Just last Friday, some western U.S. ports, including the Port of Oakland and the Port of Long Beach, were shut down as union workers of the International Warehouse and Longshore Union failed to negotiate with port management, leading to a strike.

“America’s ports, particularly those on the West Coast, play a critical role in the vitality of the U.S. economy,” said David French, senior vice president of government relations at the National Retail Federation. “Thousands of retailers and businesses rely on the smooth and efficient operation of ports every day to deliver goods to consumers.”

He noted that as we enter the peak e-commerce season, supply disruptions will force retailers and logistics companies to move goods away from West Coast ports, a situation that will continue until a labor agreement is reached.

“It is imperative that both parties return to the negotiating table and we urge the government to mediate to ensure that a new contract is finalised quickly so that there is no additional disruption to the supply chain,” added David French.

The industry represented by the National Retail Federation accounts for about half of U.S. container port throughput as retailers prepare for back-to-school, Christmas and other key sales events.

In addition to the National Retail Federation, Jay Timmons, CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, also pleaded with the White House on Twitter to take action. Earlier this year, a group of 230 groups including the National Retail Federation, the American Trucking Associations and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also wrote to President Joe Biden, asking him to facilitate cooperation between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Warehouse and Longshore Union.

Editor ✎ Nicole/

Disclaimer: This article is copyrighted and may not be reproduced without permission.