The National Retail Federation (NF) has expressed disappointment on reports that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) are taking a break from contract negotiations.
“We are greatly disappointed that the parties have decided to take an extended break from the ongoing contract negotiations as even after six months of negotiations we have seen very little progress,” Matthew Shay, CEO at NRF said.
He added, “We urge President Obama to immediately engage the parties to get them back to the negotiating table. It’s time the parties accept a federal mediator to help them bridge the gaps and arrive at a new contract.”
“Without a contract, stakeholders cannot work on addressing the ongoing congestion issues at the ports,” he informed.
NRF requested the two sides to end the brinkmanship and return to talks immediately, since the nation’s retailers, vendors and suppliers and customers count on the two parties to act responsibly.
Earlier this year, NRF and the National Association of Manufacturers released a report that found a West Coast port shutdown would cost the economy about $2 billion a day.
Retail is the US’s largest private sector employer, supporting one in four US jobs or 42 million working Americans.
Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy.
NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing retailers across the United States and more than 45 countries. (AR)