Retailers Call on ILWU and PMA to Remain at Negotiating Table

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay on reports that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the 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. 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. 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 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.

NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF’s This is Retail campaign highlights the industry’s opportunities for life-long careers, how retailers strengthen communities, and the critical role that retail plays in driving innovation.

www.nrf.com

@NRFnews

www.thisisretail.org

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Contacts:

National Retail Federation (NRF)
Stephen Schatz, 855-NRF-PRESS
Press@NRF.com

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