Dear Valued Partner,
We have been closely monitoring the ongoing contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and port operators to determine any potential impact on supplier shipments, and we are writing to inform you of a developing situation with the potential to significantly disrupt supply chains on the US East and Gulf coasts.
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and port operators have reached an impasse in their contract negotiations. The current agreement, which covers approximately 45,000 dockworkers at key US ports, is set to expire on September 30th. If a new agreement is not reached, a strike could begin as early as October 1st and would cause further delays.
According to the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) as of Friday
- There has been no further progress on Master Contract negotiations – we remain committed to the bargaining process and need the ILA to return to the table.
- While there are fewer than three weeks remaining until the expiration of our current agreement – if the ILA is willing to meet – it is still possible to agree to terms on a new Master Contract.
- We need to sit down and negotiate a new agreement that avoids an unnecessary and costly strike that will be detrimental to both sides.
What we are doing:
- Closely monitoring developments: We are monitoring the situation and tracking any updates related to the potential work stoppage.
- Collaborating with partners: We are in constant communication with our transportation and logistics partners to assess the impact on our supply chain and explore alternative solutions.
- Exploring alternative transportation options: We are evaluating alternative modes of transportation, to ensure continuity of supply where possible.
We understand that this situation may cause inconvenience and challenges. We are committed to working with you to minimize any disruptions and will provide you with any updates on the situation, if and as developments arise moving forward.
We encourage you to reach out to your CGF Account Manager or open a
ticket on Partner Home to discuss your Supply Chain needs or if you have any questions.
CastleGate Forwarding
