With the potential for an International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) strike at East and Gulf Coast ports, the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) is calling for an urgent resolution to the labor dispute as the holiday season nears.

Read also: C.H. Robinson: How Shippers can prepare for a Potential ILA Strike Amid an Increasingly Disrupted North American Shipping Landscape 

TIA President & CEO Anne Reinke stressed the high stakes, noting that a strike would severely disrupt the supply chain, particularly during the peak holiday shipping period. “With 43% of U.S. imports passing through these ports, any delays would create bottlenecks across various sectors, from retail to manufacturing,” Reinke said.

The TIA backs good-faith negotiations between the ILA and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) to avert a work stoppage that could affect industries nationwide. The association also urged the Biden administration to step in, if needed, to ensure the U.S. supply chain remains intact during this critical period for businesses and consumers alike.