Legislation was introduced in the Senate that could allow state governors to intervene in labor disputes at seaports to stop disruptions and protect American businesses, employees and consumers.

Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) introduced the “Protecting Orderly and Responsible Transit of Shipments (PORTS) Act of 2015 bill on June 4 to amend the National Labor Relations Act to provide additional authorities to governors under Taft Hartley specific to port related issues.

This legislation would grant state governors Taft Hartley powers to form boards of inquiry and use federal courts to enjoin slowdowns, strikes, or lockouts at U.S. ports. This approach aligns political incentives and promotes action to prevent lasting damage to the U.S. economy and trade. It clearly defines situations in which Taft Hartley can be invoked, preventing the president or governors from using legal ambiguity to excuse inaction, and allows a governor from any state to initiate the process by forming a board of inquiry. It allows those most affected by the disruptions (local community leaders and constituent business, employers, and consumers) to apply pressure on their governors, rather than trying to mobilize a national campaign to convince the president to act.

The American Soybean Association (ASA) was among 114 groups that signed a letter in support of the PORTS Act. The letter can be viewed here. In addition to the coalition letter, the groups will seek co-sponsors for the bill in the Senate and to have companion legislation introduced in the House.