STATEMENT: Debra Phillips, President and CEO, NEMA, on ILA-USMX Port Strike

October 03, 2024

NEMA President and CEO Debra Phillips today issued the following statement urging the Biden Administration to intervene immediately to end the U.S. port strike:

"The electroindustry is one of the largest manufacturing sectors of the U.S. economy, with one of the most complex international supply chains of any industry. This ongoing strike exacerbates our already strained supply chain, resulting in additional disruptions and delays.

"This week, NEMA and a broad coalition of over 270 organizations urged the Biden Administration to immediately intervene to end the ongoing strike between the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX). This letter follows our earlier calls for the Administration to help both sides come to an agreement before the end of the contract to avoid the current disruption. Over $195 million per day of electroindustry goods, representing nearly 30% of the nation's electroindustry imports, is now stranded in unloaded cargo ships, threatening widespread disruption to our critical grid infrastructure.

"Additionally, our industry manufactures critical products used in military installations, and the finished product inputs will be impacted by a prolonged strike. It will also exacerbate the already devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. Millions in the Southeast are still without power and the strike directly impacts access to critical grid equipment that is needed for power restoration efforts in impacted areas.

"We urge the Biden Administration to use every tool at its disposal to expedite contract negotiations between parties and quickly end this strike. Our nation's electrical manufacturers need solutions to protect our supply chains so they can deliver the products, technologies, and critical infrastructure that Americans rely on."

Topics

• Supply Chain