The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have reached a tentative, long-term master contract. The National Retail Federation issued a statement from its president and CEO, Matthew Shay, urging the parties to quickly complete any outstanding negotiations, including local negotiations at each of the individual 14 ports, and quickly ratify the new labor agreement.
“If the tentative agreement holds,” he stated, “the new labor contract will bring much-needed certainty and predictability to the supply chain for retailers, manufacturers, farmers and other industries that rely on the ports to move the nation’s commerce and trade.”
The new port labor contract covers container operations at each of the 14 East and Gulf Coast ports, from Maine to Texas.
“We appreciate the leadership and outstanding public service of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service for their steadfast work with both sides – through thick and thin – since last September,” the statement continued. “Again, we are grateful for this announcement and reiterate our request that both sides move quickly to ratify the final master contract.”