US footwear associations in plea for resolution to dock delays
In response to growing concerns that negotiations between the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) have stalled and are contributing to delays at the Ports of LA and Long Beach, The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, the American Apparel and Footwear Association and the Outdoor Industry Association have joined over 100 others in urging both sides to reach a deal as soon as possible.
The PMA and ILWU have not released a statement on contract negotiation progress since August, when a tentative agreement on health benefits was announced.
A letter, signed by the US associations, stated: “Many US and Canadian stakeholders we represent are already experiencing severe negative effects of delayed shipments. Unless addressed by the two negotiating parties, this situation will soon start to have a broader negative impact on the US and broader North American economies.
