USHSLA warns of potential US port strike
08/05/2014
If no new agreement is made, labour slowdowns and strikes could lead to major interruptions of all cargo moving through US West Coast ports.
“A large majority of US hides and skins products are shipped to Asian markets through West Coast ports, especially through Los Angeles and Long Beach, so it is an issue the industry is monitoring very closely,” said Stephen Sothmann, president of the US Hide, Skin and Leather Association.
The last large-scale strike occurred in 2002, closing all 29 ports on the West Coast for 11 days, and which some groups estimated cost the US economy $1 billion per day.
The National Industrial Transportation League, the largest US shipper group, said on May 5 that it doesn’t expect a full strike but is telling members to expect picketing and labour slowdowns.
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