In a statement issued yesterday, NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay called for immediate action, urging both the ILA and USMX to return to the negotiating table. "NRF continues to call upon the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance to resume negotiations in order to reach a new deal before the contract expires on 30th September," Shay said in a press release. "The threat of a strike during the peak shipping season has many retailers already implementing costly mitigation strategies."

Shay emphasised the potential economic consequences of a strike or disruption, particularly as inflation shows signs of declining. "At a time when inflation is on the downward trend, a strike or other disruption would significantly impact retailers, consumers, and the economy," he noted. He also called on the Biden administration to offer full support to ensure that the negotiating parties come to an agreement.

In June, the NRF led a coalition of 158 state and federal trade associations in sending a letter to President Biden, urging the administration to actively work with the ILA and USMX to avoid any disruption to the nation’s supply chain. Earlier this year, the NRF also sent a letter directly to the ILA and USMX, advocating for the resumption of port labour negotiations.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)