NRF seeks negotiations for coastal longshoremen to avoid holiday disruptions

HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 8/28/2012 12:30:56 PM

Washington D.C. - The National Retail Federation is urged labor and management to return to the table in negotiations for a new East Coast and Gulf Coast longshoremen's contract, arguing that retailers heading into the crucial holiday season will be forced to divert cargo elsewhere in a matter of days.

"We understand and recognize that there are tough issues that need to be resolved," said Matthew Shaw, president and ceo. "The issue will only be resolved, however, by agreeing to stay at the negotiating table until a final deal is reached. Failure to reach agreement will lead to supply chain disruptions which could seriously harm the U.S. economy."

He added that the industry is "facing a critical time," noting that some retailers have already enacted contingency plans to ensure that holiday merchandise will reach store shelves in time. "Now that there is a real risk of disruption, most retailers using the East and Gulf Coast ports will be forced to executive contingency plans within the next week to meet in-store holiday deadlines. These plans carry great expense but they are necessary to avoid disruptions that will add costly delays to our members' supply chains."

Shay's comments came in a letter sent yesterday to International Longshoremen's Association president, Harold Daggett, and United States Maritime Alliance chairman and ceo, James Capo. The two parties were scheduled to hold three days of negotiations last week to replace the contract that expires Spet. 30, but the ILA walked away on Wednesday over USMX's insistence to negotiate on terminal efficiency improvements.

Shay said lack of a contract could drive shippers away from East and Gulf Coast ports in the same way that a 2002 West Coast ports lockout caused shipping to shift in their favor.

"Having a secure, long-term longshore labor contract in place is critical to ensure that the East and Gulf Coast ports continue to benefit from growing labor volumes," Shay said. "Without such certainty, retailers and others will surely reevaluate their supply chains and the short-term and long-term reliance on these ports."