NRF Seeks Presidential Halt to L.A. Port Strike

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has asked President George W. Bush to intervene in order to prevent a potential longshoremen’s strike, asserting that the strike could disrupt commerce nationwide.

The longshoremen’s contract expires on July 1, and according to Tracy Mullin, chief executive officer of the NRF, presidential intervention is needed because a number of issues in the contract negotiations could affect the ports’ ability to protect themselves against terrorist attacks.

“Your personal attention is needed to ensure that the nation’s commerce will continue uninterrupted during these critical negotiations and that an agreement can be reached that will be to the benefit of the country as a whole,” said Mullin in a letter to the president.

Mullin also said that a strike could have “grave consequences” for a fragile economy propped up by the retail industry and consumer spending.

The NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, with membership composed of all retail formats and channels of distribution, including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet and independent stores. —Darryl James