The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) appeals to the White House to step in and prevent a potentially catastrophic strike across East and Gulf Coast ports.
CSCMP’s Plea to the White House
The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) has issued a plea to the White House, urging intervention to prevent a potentially damaging strike. The looming September 30 deadline for dockworkers on the East and Gulf Coasts to agree on a new contract has manufacturers and retailers nationwide on edge. CSCMP warns that a coastwide strike could have a “potentially devastating” impact on its members, which include manufacturers, farmers, agribusinesses, retailers, and logistics providers, among other supply chain stakeholders.
The Call for Contract Negotiations
In a letter to President Biden, CSCMP called for the administration to collaborate with the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) to resume contract negotiations. The aim is to ensure no disruption to port operations and cargo movement. CSCMP cited previous federal interventions to resolve strikes and labor stoppages as a precedent for this request.
The Potential Impact of a Strike
CSCMP President/CEO Mark Baxa emphasized the organization’s commitment to effective public-private partnerships in a letter to its members. He highlighted the potentially disastrous impact of a coastwide strike on CSCMP members, the broader economy, and the downward trend of inflation. Baxa stressed the importance of engaging with the administration and the involved parties to negotiate a new deal swiftly or agree to continue negotiations while keeping the ports open and cargo flowing. He underscored the crucial role of their collective voice in urging the administration to support the parties in their negotiations and be prepared to intervene if a strike or other action leads to a coastwide shutdown or disruption.
