JOC Staff | Nov 29, 2012 10:57AM EST
The National Retail Federation today urged President Obama to immediately get involved in the stalled contract negotiations between Los Angeles and Long Beach port management and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union's Office Clerical Unit.
The ILWU's Local 63 Office Clerical Unit established pickets on Nov. 28 outside most of the terminals at the Southern California port complex, expanding protests started the day before at the APM Terminals facility in Los Angeles.
A prolonged strike at the country’s two busiest ports would have a devastating impact on the U.S. economy, said Matthew Shay, NRF president and CEO, in a letter to the president.
The Retail Industry Leaders Association also pressed both parties to resolve their issues. Sandy Kennedy, RILA president, warned in a written statement that the work stoppage is a “recipe for disaster” considering the current holiday shopping season.
