ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 3, 2024 – The International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. announced this evening that they have reached a tentative agreement to end the strike that has crippled East and Gulf Coasts ports since Tuesday. The labor contract between to two sides has been extended to Jan. 15, 2025, which will enable all parties to return to the bargaining table to resolve their issues.
Mike Seyfert, the President and CEO of the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), released the following statement about this development.
“It is a relief that a tentative agreement has been reached and the ports will be open for business once again. For U.S. farm products to flow smoothly to domestic and international markets, it is essential for all parts of the supply chain to be fully functioning. The shutdown of these vital shipping ports was already starting to create big problems for NGFA’s members and America’s farmers during harvest season. Left unresolved, this strike could have led to higher transportation costs for agricultural shippers and jeopardized valuable customer relationships. For the sake of rural America, we hope that the parties involved will work diligently between now and January 15 to find a long-term agreement that works for both sides and keeps our shipping channels open.”
Last week, NGFA spearheaded a letter that was signed by agricultural organizations and companies across the country, calling on President Biden to help find a solution to the ongoing labor challenges. The Farm Bureau estimated that $1.4 billion a week in agricultural trade was at risk during the strike.
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The NGFA, established in 1896, consists of grain, feed, processing, exporting and other grain-related companies that operate facilities handling U.S. grains and oilseeds. Its membership includes grain elevators; feed and feed ingredient manufacturers; biofuels companies; grain and oilseed processors and millers; exporters; livestock and poultry integrators; and associated firms that provide goods and services to the nation’s grain, feed and processing industry. The NGFA consists of 27 affiliated State and Regional Grain and Feed Associations, is co-located and has a strategic alliance with North American Export Grain Association, and a strategic alliance with Pet Food Institute.