NRF urges president to step into West Coast port issue

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation asking President Obama to step into continuing labor unrest at the nation’s West Coast ports. The NRF has issued a statement its president and CEO, Matthew Shay, following reports that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and Pacific Maritime Association 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,” Shay said in the statement. “After six months of negotiations we have seen very little progress.



“We reiterate our call on President Obama to immediately engage the parties to get them back to the negotiating table,” Shay continued. “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.



“We urge the two sides to end the brinkmanship and return to the talks immediately. The nation’s retailers, our vendors and suppliers, and our customers are counting 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.