NRF: Bring the ILWU and PMA to Washington for contract negotiations

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation called for President Obama to become involved in the ongoing contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) if a deal is not reached.



“It has been nearly a week since President Obama dispatched Labor Secretary Perez to the West Coast to help settle the protracted contract dispute between the ILWU and PMA,” Jonathan Gold, VP for supply chain and customs policy, NRF, wrote in a statement issued Friday.



Gold noted that the Secretary has given the parties a deadline to reach an agreement, and said that if a deal is not reached today (Friday). He called upon the president to personally engage in the discussions until an agreement is reached.

“The nation’s retailers and supply chain stakeholders cannot afford another week of uncertainty at the Pacific ports, where dozens upon dozens of ships and thousands of containers are held out at sea, and where hundreds of millions of dollars of consumer goods, inventory and merchandise sit idle,” Gold stated.



He went on to state: “It is inconceivable that the parties are knowingly and willfully allowing the economy to be held hostage over a particular grievance, individual or issue. While the two sides debate a new contract, millions of American businesses and employers, large and small, and their employees are put at risk due to the impasse. The ILWU and PMA need to reach a final agreement today.”