The International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance announced last night a tentative agreement on a new six-year contract, averting the possibility of a pending strike on East and Gulf coast ports.
“This agreement protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernizing East and Gulf coast ports—making them safer and more efficient and creating the capacity they need to keep our supply chains strong,” the two organizations said in a joint statement.
The parties agreed to extend the current contract until the contract is ratified, at which time details of the contract will be released.
“We sincerely appreciate that a long-term agreement has been achieved, which will avert a strike as early as Jan. 16,” said Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek. “Having a reliable system of ports is clearly in the best interest of the American farmer.”
Why it matters to U.S. soy: Last year, 2.7 million metric tons of soy were exported via containers from these ports. While not a huge percentage, these ports are critical to coastal soybean producers and for specialty soy shipments.
Additionally, these ports are responsible for the export of refrigerated products, including soy-fed products like poultry, pork and eggs. Outside of exports, significant volumes of imports rely on ports operated by USMX, including agriculture equipment. A work stoppage or strike would have long-lasting ripple effects throughout the entire economy.
ASA has been advocating for a solution to avoid the strike and appreciates members’ grassroots efforts to encourage agreement between the parties.
Article provided by American Soybean Association.
