WITH container shipping moving into its traditional peak season, us retailers are expected to further accelerate shipping ahead of a potential longshore strike that is looking increasingly likely for October 1.
The forecast is for strong increases in volume this month coming as many US ports are already running at record levels, according to The Maritime Executive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The two sides in the US East and Gulf Coast longshore contract negotiations remain at an impasse with the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) increasing its rhetoric.
The employers represented by the US Maritime Alliance issued a statement recently calling for the union to come to the negotiating table for the master contract.
The ILA issued a letter to members over the weekend (posted online as well) citing inflation and the need for long-term wage security.
The union 'outright rejects' the position of the USMX on wages, including the entry level positions, which the employers called 'an industry leading wage.'
The union is calling for improved pensions, better health coverage, and a hardship provision in its healthcare coverage. Most significantly, the ILA said it wanted to be clear 'We don't want any form of semi-automation or full automation.'
With the union digging in and just three weeks to the contract expiration the National Retail Federation reports retailers have brought forward shipments which contributed they believe in a 'bumping up' in June through September import volumes.
In addition to the looming strike, they point out fears of 'rising tariffs following the election.'
'This is a critical time as retailers prepare for the all-important holiday season, and we need every port in the country working at full capacity. Many retailers have brought cargo in early and shifted to alternate ports as a precaution,' said Jonathan Gold, vice president for Supply Chain and Customs Policy for the NRF.
SeaNews Turkey
The forecast is for strong increases in volume this month coming as many US ports are already running at record levels, according to The Maritime Executive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The two sides in the US East and Gulf Coast longshore contract negotiations remain at an impasse with the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) increasing its rhetoric.
The employers represented by the US Maritime Alliance issued a statement recently calling for the union to come to the negotiating table for the master contract.
The ILA issued a letter to members over the weekend (posted online as well) citing inflation and the need for long-term wage security.
The union 'outright rejects' the position of the USMX on wages, including the entry level positions, which the employers called 'an industry leading wage.'
The union is calling for improved pensions, better health coverage, and a hardship provision in its healthcare coverage. Most significantly, the ILA said it wanted to be clear 'We don't want any form of semi-automation or full automation.'
With the union digging in and just three weeks to the contract expiration the National Retail Federation reports retailers have brought forward shipments which contributed they believe in a 'bumping up' in June through September import volumes.
In addition to the looming strike, they point out fears of 'rising tariffs following the election.'
'This is a critical time as retailers prepare for the all-important holiday season, and we need every port in the country working at full capacity. Many retailers have brought cargo in early and shifted to alternate ports as a precaution,' said Jonathan Gold, vice president for Supply Chain and Customs Policy for the NRF.
SeaNews Turkey
