Fri., Nov. 8 02 - Beef Exports Continue as Labor Dispute Winds Down

Suggested Lead:

The end of the West Coast ports labor dispute may be in sight, says NCBA Chief Economist Chuck Lambert. Lambert toured the port at Long Beach while in California attending a board meeting for the U.S. Meat Export Federation. He says a final settlement will be much welcomed by the beef industry and other export-dependent agricultural commodities.

Cut #1             :27                   Outcue: "...the West Coast ports."

According to Lambert, NCBA played a crucial role in getting President Bush to use the Taft-Hartley Act to stop the lockout, re-open the ports and resume U.S. exports.

Cut #2             :41                   Outcue: "...a relatively fast manner."

Lambert says the value of beef exports leaving from the West Coast cannot be overstated.

Cut #3             :19                   Outcue: "...the overall demand picture."

Lambert says the backlog of ships that were held up in port with export cargo is greatly diminished, and that negotiators have resolved the technology and wage issues and made other progress toward permanently ending the labor dispute.