NRF calls for averting port shutdowns

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has called on the U.S. Maritime Alliance and International Longshoremen’s Association to work together to avoid a one-day shutdown of East and Gulf Coast ports proposed by ILA. “Thousands of companies and millions of workers rely on these ports and any disruption to their activity even for a day could have a negative impact on the U.S. economy,” said NRF VP for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jon Gold. The ILA and Maritime Alliance have begun informal discussions on a contract extension well in advance of the current contract’s expiration. But “proposing a shutdown runs counter to this spirit of cooperation and may threaten this positive action,” Gold said. ILA is planning a one-day shutdown and march on Washington to protest “government interference” by the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor and state port operators in the Southeast. No date for the proposed shutdown has been announced. (Source: Marine Link 02/24/17)