NRF letter to President Biden on Potential East and Gulf Coast Strike

Today, the National Retail Federation led a group of 177 trade associations in a letter to President Biden urging the administration to work with the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) to reach a new master contract for all maritime container ports along the East and Gulf coasts before the current one expires on Sept. 30. The ILA has threatened a coastwide strike on Oct. 1 if a new agreement is not reached beforehand. 

According to the letter: “A strike at this point in time would have a devastating impact on the economy, especially as inflation is on the downward trend…At this critical juncture, it is imperative that the parties return to the table without engaging in disruptive activities that could harm the economy and the millions of businesses, workers and consumers who rely on the seamless flow of goods, both imports and exports, through our East Coast and Gulf Coast ports.” 

In June, NRF and a coalition of 158 state and federal trade associations also issued a call for the administration to help the two parties return to the negotiating table after discussions had stalled.