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WSSA has continued to monitor the potential strike situation in Canada. As of August 9, news reports state that the CIRB/Canada Industrial Relations Board ruled “a work stoppage on Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) would not cause an immediate threat to public health and safety”. This ruling has heightened the prospect of a strike or lockout by August 22.

As reported previously, September 19, 2024  is the cut off date for allowing organic products to be imported without the importer completing the certification process. We will be supporting efforts to gain some relief on this date should an importer be in the process of certification. We know many wine and spirits importers have not been able to complete the process.

WSSA has been monitoring the ILA situation closely and participating in various industry calls and association efforts to pressure the parties to get back to the negotiating table. The ILA has provided the 60 day “strike” notice as required under USA Labor Law (Section 8 of the Labor-Management Act of 1947).

South America: The Cross-Andes Pass is re-opened today, August 7th.  Having been closed for a week, the transit is slow due to congestion with around 4,500 trucks waiting to cross Argentina to Chile. It should take a few days for containers to arrive to Chile. Luckily, the weather forecast is clear for the next 7 days.

Tropical Storm Debby has moved back out to the Atlantic but is scheduled to make a second landfall Thursday on the coast of South Carolina. The storm is expected to bring extensive rainfall leading to possible flooding up the East Coast.