The West Coast ports may be back open today, but it is not business as usual. Tensions between the port operators and unions boiled over in a weekend shutdown, and any hope for a speedy resolution after the federal mediator’s intervention is feeling farther away. The Pacific Maritime Association closed the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports Saturday and Sunday, saying in a statement it “will no longer continue to pay workers premium pay for diminished productivity.” Market watchers and industry groups have reacted swiftly to the recent breakdown of the talks. According to the Pacific Maritime Association, roughly 40 percent of the U.S. trade takes place in the ports, and most Asian trade goes through the ports, making the issue one of great concern for the shoe business. “It becomes more dire by the day, in all honesty,” said Matt Priest, president of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers Association. “Almost 100 percent of the shoes sold in the U.S. are imported. To bring in product efficiently and effectively is something that sustains so many jobs in our industry. When you take away the efficiency of a key tool we use to get product to our consumers, then it’s very challenging.” Last week the Pacific Read More...