JOC Staff | Feb 02, 2013 11:41AM EST
The National Retail Federation welcomed word of an agreement between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) on a tentative six-year master contract.
“The retail industry, which supports one in every four U.S. jobs, is pleased to hear that the ILA and USMX have reached a tentative, long-term master contract,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said in a written statement. “We urge the parties to quickly complete any outstanding negotiations, including local negotiations at each of the individual 14 ports, and quickly ratify the new labor agreement.”
Shay stressed the importance of predictability that a new contract could provide and thanked the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service for its role in the negotiations between the parties.
The American Apparel & Footwear Association also welcomed news of the tentative accord.
"I applaud all parties for their efforts to overcome their differences,” AAFA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke said. “This tentative agreement restores the predictability the four million U.S. apparel and footwear industry workers in our industry count on to ensure all Americans have access for affordable and fashionable clothes and shoes."