Jul 1, 2022NPC, trade groups urge Biden to intervene to avert West Coast port disruption
With the collective-bargaining agreement between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association expiring today, National Potato Council (NPC) and dozens of commodity and consumer groups wrote the Biden Administration urging its intervention to prevent a labor dispute.
“Our export dependent industry has been rocked by supply chain disruptions that have been felt severely in U.S. ports. We cannot add to this chaos with a labor stoppage as a result of failed negotiations,” said Ted Tschirky, NPC vice president of trade affairs.
In the letter, the group urged the Biden administration to continue to work with the parties to reach a new agreement without any disruption to port operations. In particular, while the parties seek to reach a final agreement, the group called on the administration to work with the parties to: 1) Extend the current contract until a final contract is reached; 2) Commit to remain at the negotiating table and negotiate in good faith; and, 3) Agree to not engage in any kind of activity that leads to further disruption at the ports.
Due to today’s expiration of the labor contract’s “no strike” clause, 22,400 dockworkers are permitted to walk off the job at any time until a new contract is ratified – which would have serious consequences on the entire U.S. economy. A strike would shut down 29 West Coast ports, which handles 47% of containerized imports from China and other Asian manufacturing centers.
The full letter can be found here.
– National Potato Council
