The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement by senior vice president of government relations David French after reports of delays at the terminals of Ports of Oakland along with Long Beach. The latest disruptions occur as they are reported by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) as well as Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) Pacific Maritime Association have failed to sign and approve an agreement on labor after more than a whole year of negotiations.
“The United States ports, especially those along the West Coast, play a essential role in the growth of the American economy. Many retailers and companies depend on the seamless and effective operations on the port to supply daily goods to the consumers.
“As we begin the busy shipping period for holiday shopping These additional delays will cause retailers and other key shipping partners to shifting cargo out of shipping ports in the West Coast ports until a new labor agreement is signed. It is essential that both parties come back to the negotiation table. We ask the administration to facilitate to help both parties are able to quickly sign an agreement that will not cause further interruptions.”
The most trusted authority and voice for retail, NRF has been a active advocate for the parties to begin negotiations prior to the contract was originally scheduled to expire in July 2022, and also to extend the current agreement throughout talks to prevent any interruptions.
On April 1, NRF released a press release following the ILWU took the decision to stop work in Long Beach and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, forcing the sudden shut down of the terminals in all.
This season, NRF put together a letter of coalition addressed to the president Joe Biden that was signed by over 230 groups in a call to the administration to collaborate with sides to end their talks. We reiterate our request to the administration to collaborate with the parties in order to assist to conclude a new agreement.
On April 1, NRF released a press release following the ILWU decided to keep workers off Long Beach and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, forcing the sudden shut down of the terminals in all.
This year NRF created a joint letter addressed to the president Joe Biden that was signed by more than 230 organizations in a call to the Biden administration collaborate with both parties in completing their negotiations. NRF reiterates our demand to Biden’s administration to work with the parties in order to assist the parties to negotiate a new contract.
More information is available here:
National Retail Federation 
1101 New York Avenue NW Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20005
Tel. : 1-202-783-7971
Tel. : 1-800-673-4692
contact@nrf.com
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