OCTOBER 4, 2024: The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) released a joint statement Thursday evening (Oct. 3, 2024) announcing an end – at least temporarily – to the work stoppage that shut down the East and Gulf Coast ports. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom says 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. USMEF is appreciative of the efforts of all of those involved, including the longshore union, container terminal operators and government officials, for bringing a quick resolution to the work stoppage. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/10/usmef-halstrom-port-strike-end-100324.mp3 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.   SEPTEMBER 23, 2024: Contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association and U.S. Maritime Alliance on a new labor agreement for port workers along the East and Gulf Coasts have stalled, increasing the potential for an Oct. 1 strike. Even though the majority of U.S. red meat exports flow out of the West Coast ports, a strike in the east and south would still have a significant impact on the industry, according to U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2024/09/usmef-halstrom-east-gulf-ports-920.mp3 Through July 2024, 45% of waterborne U.S. pork exports were shipped through the East and Gulf Coast ports, while the share of waterborne beef exports was 30%, based on USMEF’s calculations from PIERS data. Some of that traffic is already being re-routed through the West Coast ports, but there is not enough capacity to absorb all of the trade that would be impacted. USMEF and other organizations are urging the White House and Congress to do all in their power to bring the two sides back to the bargaining table to avoid a port shutdown. Infographic courtesy of the US Meat Export Federation.