Ports, Longshoremen Remain Apart as Contract Deadline Nears
Talks between the International Longshoremen's Association and East and Gulf Coast port operators stalled this week, with a contract deadline looming Dec. 29 after which the union could strike, the Associated Press reported Thursday.
The strike would affect 15 ports on the East and Gulf coasts, including in Massachusetts, Georgia, Virginia, Florida, New York, Delaware, Florida, Maryland and Texas. Port employers are represented by the United States Maritime Alliance.
The National Retail Foundation sent a letter this week to President Obama urging him to intervene in the dispute and use “all means necessary” to avert a strike.
NRF had similarly urged, and received, federal mediation in a recent eight-day strike at the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach that ended on Dec. 4.
In a notice posted on its website, the union said a strike could start following the deadline and that its members should begin preparations, including preparing signs and scheduling picket duty.
