On Thursday, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) released a joint statement announcing a temporary end to the work stoppage that shut down the East and Gulf Coast ports earlier in the week. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom said the end of the strike is terrific news for U.S. livestock producers and exporters who ship more than $100 million of U.S. pork and beef through those ports each week.
The efforts of all of those involved- including the longshore union, container terminal operators, and government officials- brought a quick resolution to the work stoppage, which Halstrom said the USMEF appreciates.
ILA and USMX have agreed to extend the current Master Contract until Jan. 15, 2025, and to reopen all affected ports while negotiations continue on outstanding contract issues. For more information, visit usmef.org.
