NRF sends letter urging ILA and USMX back to the negotiating table hoping to reach new labor contract before Jan 15th

The NRF led a coalition of 267 trade associations in a letter to the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), urging both parties to return to the negotiating table and reach a new labor contract before the new Jan. 15, 2025, contract expiration date. 

Earlier this year, a three-day labor strike took place at all U.S. East and Gulf coast container ports after the six-year master contract expired on Sept. 30. Following the end of the strike, the ILA and USMA agreed to extend the contract until Jan. 15 and resume formal negotiations. Unfortunately, those negotiations have stalled again. 

The letter expressed the group’s concerns of a potential second strike, which could take place just days before the government transitions to a new administration: 

“We know significant issues remain between the parties. However, we continue to believe the only way to resolve these issues and come to an agreement is to actually stay at the negotiating table. The continuing start and stop of the negotiations leads to further uncertainty in the supply chain, which continues to cause challenges. The three-day strike in October had a significant impact on supply chain stakeholders that rely on the East Coast and Gulf Coast ports. The additional costs from mitigation efforts as well as post-strike resumption are still being felt. Companies have continued to implement mitigation strategies because of the ongoing threat of another strike in mid-January if a new contract is not achieved.”