Against the backdrop of New York Harbor, the Supply Chain Council announced its formation at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J. This new organization aims to fill a gap among logistics-focused associations by embracing a broad membership that includes both business and labor sectors.
Key Leadership and Mission
The event highlighted the Council’s diverse leadership, featuring remarks from Prologis Senior Vice President Steven Hussain and Josh LaFarga, Director of External Affairs at the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA). “This is the first-of-its-kind group dedicated to uniting business and labor to protect jobs, invest in essential infrastructure, and ensure supply chain resilience,” said Josh Wood, CEO of the Supply Chain Council.
Origins and Goals
The idea for the Supply Chain Council originated not from supply chain companies but from public affairs professionals who recognized the need for an integrated group amid the post-pandemic supply chain crisis. Wood, a Sacramento-based public affairs executive, saw the necessity for such an organization. The Council will initially focus on ensuring adequate physical infrastructure, addressing policy challenges like warehouse bans and rail infrastructure development.
Upcoming Activities
About 20 members of the Council will meet at a policy retreat to set the organization’s agenda. Members include Prologis, LIUNA, and the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association. Although the International Longshore and Warehouse Union attended the launch, they have not yet joined the Council.
Infrastructure and Policy Advocacy
The Council aims to be proactive in promoting infrastructure investments essential for a resilient supply chain. Addressing significant policy challenges, such as indirect source rules impacting emissions accountability, will be a key focus. The organization also plans to engage in political advocacy, with a presence in Sacramento and future offices in Washington, D.C., and the New York-New Jersey area.
Unique Role in the Industry
Hussain emphasized the unique role of the Supply Chain Council, noting that while trade associations represent specific sectors like shipping or trucking, no existing group unites these sectors to address the interconnected nature of the supply chain. The Council seeks to provide cohesive policy advocacy, ensuring that regulatory changes do not disrupt the broader supply chain ecosystem.
Labor and Business Collaboration
LaFarga, representing labor interests, stressed the importance of collaboration between business and labor. “Too much recently, supply chains have been under attack. When you demonize the industry, you demonize the people in the industry,” he said. The Council aims to foster a real partnership, bringing both sides to the table to enhance the industry’s strength and resilience.
Source:
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/backed-by-big-companies-and-labor-supply-chain-council-debuts
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