The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is pleased with the recent agreement with the East and Gulf Coast Port Labor Contract. Rusty Halvorson has the story.
The International Longshoremen’s Association and United States Maritime Alliance reached a tentative agreement on all items for a new six-year master labor contract covering ports on the East and Gulf Coasts.
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom says it’s “extremely good news.”
“With the level of exports on the pork side, forty five percent of the water borne exports are going through the East Coast and Gulf, and about thirty percent of the beef, of which, on the beef side, some of the higher value chilled business is going through there. So obviously, any snafu and supply chain is a problem, but especially on the east coast and gulf as it relates to some of our key poor and beef products.”
The two sides agreed to extend the current contract until the Longshoremen’s full Wage Scale Committee can schedule a ratification vote… and Maritime Alliance members can ratify the terms of the new contract.
“Very appreciative that the two sides were able to come together on a full contract, and very appreciative of the fact that there will be no disruption, and that we can continue to focus on the business. And as we all know, the business has been growing and has a lot of potential growth in the future.”
November exports of U.S. red meat posted year-over-year gains across all categories, according to the most recent data released by USDA and compiled by the USMEF.