WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation today released the following statement from NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay following the announcement that a tentative agreement on wages and a short-term contract extension was reached between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX).
“The decision to end the current strike and allow the East and Gulf coast ports to reopen is good news for the nation’s economy. It is critically important that the International Longshoremen’s Association and United States Maritime Alliance work diligently and in good faith to reach a fair, final agreement before the extension expires. The sooner they reach a deal, the better for all American families.”
On Wednesday, NRF led a coalition of nearly 300 industry trade associations in sending a letter to President Biden calling on him to use “any and all authority” to end the strike.
As the leading authority and voice for retail, NRF will continue to advocate for policies and solutions that ensure supply chain resiliency.
About NRF
The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies. nrf.com