A group of U.S. manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and trade organizations is urging the Biden administration to help resume stalled contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and maritime employers.

The current six-year contract between the union representing 45,000 dockworkers on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) expires on September 30. Negotiations stalled after the ILA claimed Maersk broke contract rules by adding an auto-gate system at its APM Mobile container terminal.

A letter signed by around 160 organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the National Retail Federation, appealed to the White House for support. The letter cited concerns over “disruption to port operations and cargo fluidity”. The NRF made a similar request to the White House in January.

Source: Journal of Commerce