NRF Pressing for East/Gulf Coast Longshoremen Agreement

The National Retail Federation urged the International Longshoremen’s Association and U.S. Maritime Alliance to reach an immediate contract agreement before the Dec,.29 deadline, in order to ensure a secure and dependable supply chain along the East and Gulf Coast ports, in a letter to both sides. Another round of contract talks is set for next week.

NRF said that supply chain stability has been seriously challenged over the past few months -- by the contract dispute at the East and Gulf Coast ports, then by Hurricane Sandy, and finally by the eight-day strike at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. It said "many" retailers have instituted costly contingency plans in order to avoid shipping disruptions and delays. Without the certainty provided by a new contract, "retailers and others will surely reevaluate their supply chains and their short-term and long-term reliance on these ports,” said NRF President Matthew Shay.