The 65,000-member International Longshoremen’s Association (AFL-CIO) – the largest North American union of maritime workers – has announced in a press release its solidarity with a broad coalition of Delaware River port community interests in petitioning US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to suspend for humanitarian reasons for up to 20 days in April the restrictions on all table grapes imported from Chile.
Retail giant Wal-Mart has also sent a letter in support of the petition to ensure US consumers have a steady supply of low-priced table grapes through April and May. In addition, the Walmart Foundation has donated US$1m to emergency relief efforts.
Chile is the main source of grapes for the US from December through April. Given that the current marketing order requires the fruit to meet a certain standard as a condition for entry, the rule would make it difficult for grapes to enter the US market after April 10.
Due to the devastation and disruption in the Chilean harvest and shipments, the groups are requesting the government authorities and trade associations of the Delaware River region to suspend the table grape marketing order for 10 days from 10 April to 20 April.
Republican Bob Brady, D-Philadelphia, has also shown support for the petition calling on authorities to protect jobs at Philadelphia ports, which serve as a vital economic engine in the region. Nearly 65 per cent of all fruit shipments from Chile entering the US through the three Delaware River ports in Philadelphia, Wilmington and Gloucester.
Those who have already signed the petition include: the Chilean and American Chamber of Commerce; the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce; the Delaware River Stevedores; Chispa Group; the Delaware River Marine Trade Association; the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River & Bay; the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority; the Diamond State Port Corporation; Dole Fresh Fruit – Deciduous; Local 1566, International Longshoremen’s Association; Holt Logistics Corporation; Gloucester Terminals; Greenwich Terminals; Western Industries; Philadelphia/Wilmington District Council; The Oppenheimer Group; Pandol Bros.; Dayka and Hackett; Fisher Capesan; Royal Fumigation; and Del Monte Fresh Produce.
