Wed., Oct 09 02 - West Coast Ports Temporarily Reopened; Beef Moving Again

Suggested Lead:

With 200 ships backlogged at 29 U.S. West Coast ports, President Bush invoked the Taft-Hartly Act yesterday, resulting in a court order temporarily reopening the ports. According to Chuck Lambert, chief economist for NCBA, the action means beef exports will continue for now, but the two sides of the labor dispute have 80 days to find a solution to keep the ports open permanently.

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Lambert says NCBA took an early lead in recognizing the significance of the longshoremen labor dispute, and in urging quick action from Congress and the Administration to help resolve it.

Cut #2       :18            Outcue: "...back-to-work order."

According to Lambert, the labor dispute has already hurt the beef industry, but it could have been worse.

Cut #3       :29            Outcue: "...would have got worse."

Lambert says an ongoing longshoremen labor dispute could affect cattle prices all the way down the chain to the producer.

Cut #4       :28            Outcue: "...fix into this problem."