ACD Press Release

ACD Warns of Severe Impact of ILA Port Strike, Urges Swift Administration Action

Strike Will Disrupt the Flow of Essential Chemicals

Arlington, VA –Today, Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) President and CEO Eric R. Byer released the following statement after the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) failed to ratify a labor contract agreement before the September 30 deadline. The master contract between the ILA and USMX covers 45,000 dockworkers at 36 ports from Maine to Texas.

“ACD is extremely disappointed that the ILA and USMX failed to ratify a labor contract agreement. For months, there has been an unwillingness to formally negotiate in good faith, with both sides allowing a strike to occur despite having months to negotiate and reach an agreement. The ocean shipping market is already in disarray and this strike will result in severe delays, reroutes, and greater uncertainties on the delivery of essential products at countless U.S. ports. ACD urges the Biden Administration to swiftly intervene to resolve this strike by reopening the ports and getting both sides to reach an agreement to prevent further supply chain disruptions and avoid significant economic consequences.”

During an 11-day strike on the West Coast in 2002, the reported economic impact was $1 billion per day, and it took six months to recover.

Ahead of the labor contract deadline, ACD joined two letters —one on June 25 and the other on September 23—to the Biden Administration, both endorsed by over 150 shipping organizations, to urge the White House to pressure both sides to come to an agreement. ACD has also reached out to Congressional offices to raise concerns about the looming strike and its economic impact.

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The Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) partners with our more than 400 chemical distribution industry members to provide the education, connection, standards, and advocacy they need to responsibly move the essential products our world depends on. As leaders in the $27B+ chemical distribution industry, ACD member companies commit to the highest standards in quality, safety, sustainability, and performance through ACD Responsible Distribution^TM. For more information, visit www.acd-chem.com.