Public Policy News

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French on the United States Court of Appeals’ unanimous decision in Noel Canning v. National Labor Relations Board:

NRF urged the House to approve legislation that would put the federal debt ceiling on hold until mid-May.

NRF released the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay regarding Walmart’s announcement regarding the hiring of veterans: "It is nothing less than visionary for a great American company to make such a bold pledge to help our American heroes.”

The NRF Board of Directors has adopted a resolution directing NRF to “strongly encourage” Congress to enact comprehensive tax reform in 2013 and setting out a list of principles aimed at achieving tax policy that would boost the economy and encourage job growth.

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 2.3 percent in January over the same month last year as retailers continue to urge labor and management to avoid a strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast docks, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by NRF and Hackett Associates.

NRF welcomed an agreement reached between the White House and Congress on a plan to avoid the fiscal cliff.

National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay issued the following statement on news that the International Longshoremen’s Association and United States Maritime Alliance agreed to extend their contract negotiations for an additional 30 days:

NRF welcomed the House vote on legislation intended to avoid middle-class tax increases in the fiscal cliff, saying progress on the issue is critically important.

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold on the breakdown of contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Exchange:

The National Retail Federation today sent a letter to President Obama to express the retail industry’s growing concern if a contract agreement isn’t reached between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. The two sides have been in negotiations, with the assistance of federal mediators, for the past few months with little demonstrable progress. The concern for a coast-wide strike is ever increasing.

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay on the Administration’s inclusion of corporate tax reform in the ongoing fiscal cliff negotiations:

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 3.9 percent in December despite a strike that closed the nation’s largest port complex for the first few days of the month, but retailers are keeping a close watch on a possible strike on the East Coast and Gulf Coast, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by NRF and Hackett Associates.

The National Retail Federation today issued a letter to the International Longshoremen’s Association and United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd., urging both sides to reach an immediate contract agreement before the December 29 deadline to ensure a secure and dependable supply chain along the East and Gulf Coast ports. The ILA and USMX have been locked in negotiations, assisted by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, since their contract expired on September 30. Another round of contract negotiations is set for next week.

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay on the negotiated settlement between The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 63 Office Clerical Unit and the Harbor Employers Association at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach:

The National Retail Federation and a diverse coalition of manufacturers, farmers, wholesalers, retailers and transportation organizations today sent a letter to President Obama to express their mutual concern about the ongoing labor disruption at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Striking clerical workers have been picketing many of the port terminals for the past week, effectively shutting down major portions of the ports.

NRF has issued a statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay renewing NRF's call for President Obama to intervene in the strike that has closed most terminals at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

NRF urged the Senate to approve an amendment that would attach a sales tax fairness bill to a defense spending measure being considered today.

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 5.9 percent in November despite the temporary closure of some ports by super-storm Sandy, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by NRF and Hackett Associates.

NRF today said it will explore all legal options following a judge’s preliminary approval of a proposed class-action settlement of an antitrust lawsuit over the $30 billion a year in credit card swipe fees charged by Visa and MasterCard.