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Temporary agreement reached, ports to resume operations

Port workers have reached a tentative agreement to end a three-work stoppage at East and Gulf Coast ports. 

Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition says having supply chain certainty is critical to the ag industry. “We’re not just delivering soybeans and other agricultural products next door,” he says. “We’re delivering those products halfway around the world. So that means you’ve got to have to have a supply chain that is predictable and reliable.”

He tells Brownfield the temporary agreement is in place until January 15th. “We want an agreement that hopefully benefits both sides,” he says. “But most importantly, it allows farmers to be successful because there’s a lot of challenges confronting agriculture right now and we don’t need our supply chain just to be adding one more complication.”

US Meat Export Federation CEO Dan Halstrom says the deal is a tremendous relief for the U.S. meat and livestock industries.  About $100 million worth of U.S. beef and pork products are exported every week through East and Gulf Coast ports.  He says exports are a critical revenue stream, and the industry needs all U.S. ports operating to meet the needs of international customers.

 The International Longshoreman’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. announced Thursday evening that they had reached a tentative agreement on wages. The groups agreed to extend the Master Contract until January 15, 2025, and will return to the bargaining table to negotiate other issues. 

AUDIO: Mike Steenhoek, Soy Transportation Coalition

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