UNITED STATES - Yesterday we reported that approximately 45 container vessels had anchored outside the East Coast and Gulf Coast ports due to the port strike initiated on October 1. Today reports have revealed that the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports have been reopened after dockworkers and port operators reached a wage deal to settle the strike.

"The port strike ended fairly quickly, removing any significant downside risk to the economy this quarter," said Ryan Sweet, Chief U.S. Economist at Oxford Economics, in a report from Reuters.

The International Longshoremen's Association workers union and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) port operators announced the deal late on Thursday, announcing an agreed-upon wage hike of around 62 percent over six years. This move will raise average wages to about $63 an hour from $39 an hour, the source noted.

While the ports have reopened as of today, clearing the cargo backlog will still take some time. Yesterday, at least 54 container ships had lined up outside the ports as the strike prevented unloading, posing potential shortages of a variety of goods ranging from bananas to auto parts.

According to pricing platform Xeneta, it was likely to take two to three weeks for the normal flow of goods to be reestablished.

ANUK will continue to relay the latest information regarding our industry’s supply chain. Stay tuned for our next update.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Congratulations are in order for two industry executives. It was announced that Peter Vitarisi is stepping in as Grimmway Farms’ new Chief People Officer, following the announcement that Sara Oliver has officially stepped down from the role after more than 30 years.

“Over the last seven months, I have experienced first-hand the commitment and people-first approach that Sara has instilled at Grimmway over more than three decades,” said Vitarisi. “Grimmway employees are the heart and soul of this company, and I look forward to building upon Sara’s legacy of attracting and developing top talent and advancing an inclusive culture that honors the company’s history as a caring and responsible employer.”

Vitarisi joined Grimmway earlier this year with more than 20 years of strategic human resources experience, a press release stated. Following a collaborative and intentional transition period, Vitarisi now assumes Oliver’s day-to-day responsibilities as she moves into an advisory role until her official retirement in January 2025.

In his former position as CPO with Basic American Foods, Vitarisi was responsible for driving employee engagement, talent recruitment, and retention. Previously, he served in executive HR roles with E. & J. Gallo Winery in Modesto and J.M. Smucker Company in five diverse regions within the United States and Canada.

As Vitarisi steps into this role, Grimmway also says farewell to Oliver.

“It has been an honor to work with the generations of employees who have built Grimmway into the great company it is today,” said Oliver. “While this is a bittersweet moment, I fortunately have the opportunity to continue to collaborate with Jeff, Peter, and the team in an advisory capacity over the next few months.”

During her long and distinguished tenure, Oliver was responsible for overseeing Grimmway’s employee relations, career development, education and training, and health and wellness programs. She also managed the teams responsible for government and community relations and corporate philanthropy.

“Sara’s commitment to expanding career opportunities for our family of employees, combined with her dedication to recruiting and retaining exceptional talent across all areas of the business, has been instrumental in Grimmway’s continued growth and success,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Huckaby. “Sara has advanced professional development opportunities for women throughout the company, and she has always championed dignity, respect, fairness, and safety for our dedicated employees.”

Congratulations to both of these leaders!