NRF Urges Talks on New Labor Deal for West Coast Ports

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association should begin talks on a new labor deal for the West Coast ports as soon as possible “in the hopes of achieving a new contract before the June 30 contract expiration,” National Retail Federation CEO Matthew Shay wrote the leadership of both groups Thursday. “As many expect the supply chain disruptions to continue through 2022, contract negotiations should not lead to additional pressures or disruptions to the supply chain,” said Shay. Reaching agreement on a new contract well before its expiration would benefit the U.S. economy and provide “the needed certainty to all the stakeholders in the supply chain that rely on the U.S. West Coast ports,” he said. “We would further ask that you issue a statement committing to the commencement of meaningful negotiations now, and to commit to continue negotiating and working without interruption, even if negotiations extend beyond the June 30 contract expiration.” The ILWU and PMA didn’t comment. They agreed in August 2017 to extend their contract to July 1, 2022, covering more than two dozen ports in California, Oregon and Washington.