WASHINGTON, DC (November 22, 2024) – With the support of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) and partner organizations across youth sports, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Marc Veasey (D-TX) introduced the Youth Sports Facilities Act (YSFA) H.R.10221 in Congress yesterday. The YSFA would open a new funding source for youth sports facilities and recreational spaces using Economic Development Assistance (EDA) grants. EDAs are currently not eligible to be used for investments in youth sports infrastructure projects which is why the YSFA is so critical, as it would provide the financial support needed for communities currently lacking in facilities to receive the funding needed to develop new sports and recreation projects.
“The Youth Sports Facilities Act is a bipartisan solution designed to bring communities together, create economic opportunity, and improve the physical and mental well-being of students across the nation,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “For too long, an area code has determined whether students could have access to facilities or the resources necessary to participate and compete. I am proud to champion the Youth Sports Facilities Act because it opens the door for communities across Michigan and around the country to create new opportunities for children to develop critical skills, enhance local tourism, and foster small business growth.”
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the accessibility challenges that many Americans face when it comes to participating in sports and recreational activities. Not being able to participate in these types of activities leads to the worsening of both mental and physical health in the U.S. SFIA is committed to working with stakeholders to address the barriers limiting youth sports participation and has led the effort on the YSFA legislation, securing bi-partisan support in Congress.
“The access barrier to sports participation keeps youth off the playing field – denying them the opportunity to realize the mental and physical health benefits of activity and limiting the development of the social skills essential to a child’s growth,” says Todd Smith, President & CEO, SFIA. “SFIA fully endorses the Youth Sports Facilities Act to give communities the resources needed for investments in youth sports facilities which will lower the current access barrier to participation.”
The YSFA will allow for more kids to be active and healthy, while also providing participants with important leadership, team building, and social skills. Youth sports organizations are united in their support for YSFA and appreciate the leadership of Congressman Huizenga and Congressman Veasey on this legislation.
“As the leading nonprofit provider of youth sports programs, YMCA of the USA supports the Youth Sports Facilities Act. Youth sports facilities often lead to growth in local economies as families attend sporting events and support local businesses, hotels, and restaurants”, says Jeffrey Britt, Chief Government Affairs Officer, YMCA of the USA. “Youth sports programs create a space for families and the community to belong, improve health outcomes, and strengthen the fabric of the economy and the community.”
In 2024, almost half a billion dollars in EDA grants were used to pay for small business loans, workforce training, and infrastructure projects – but no funding went to the development of youth sports facilities, which can spur additional investments in a community. New youth sports and recreational facilities can lead to additional investments in surrounding businesses such as convenience stores, restaurants, fueling stations, and grocery stores, as well as the construction of new hotels and housing communities.
“A great many children are denied the benefits of sports and exercise due to the shortage of athletic facilities,” says Jon Executive Director, Pop Warner Little Scholars. “In other cases, too many participants practice on limited areas which is unsafe as teams overlap. The Youth Sports Facilities Act will provide for more facilities being available for our children, our most precious commodity. As childhood obesity numbers rise, it is our duty to get kids off their sofas and enjoy getting healthy exercise.”
“Youth sports are a vital part of America’s fabric and a significant part of the work done by local parks and recreation departments,” says, Kyle Simpson, Director of Government Affairs, National Recreation & Parks Association (NRPA). “On behalf of our 60,000 members, the NRPA is proud to endorse the Youth Sports Facilities Act. This critical legislation will expand access to high-quality youth sports programs nationwide.”
With strong Congressional leadership behind the Youth Sports Facilities Act (YSFA), today’s introduction of the legislation is an important step in getting more resources for youth sports facility development in communities that lack them. SFIA will continue to build support for the YSFA and work with stakeholders to move the YSFA through the legislative process for increased investments in youth sports and recreation facilities to get more kids active.
For more information or questions regarding the YSFA, please contact Bill Sells, SVP, Government Relations & Public Affairs, at [email protected].
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ABOUT SFIA: The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the #1 source for sport and fitness research, is the leading global trade association of manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products and fitness industry. SFIA seeks to promote sports and fitness participation, as well as industry vitality through research, thought leadership, public affairs, industry affairs, and member services. For more information, please visit sfia.org.
Washington, D.C. (November 13, 2024): After less than a week of renewed negotiations on a new labor contract for dockworkers at East and Gulf Coast Ports, the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) has walked away from the bargaining table on November 13 over the use of automation at the ports. The ILA suspended their strike last month after receiving a 62 percent pay raise for dockworkers; the strike pause will lapse on January 15, 2025. The Unions have not started accepting increased wages because that would require signing a no-strike clause.
The U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents the Ports, issued a press release committing to negotiations to resolve the remaining issues for a Master Contract. The USMX views technology as key to improving efficiency at the ports for increased capacity, supply chain resilience, and enhanced worker safety. The USMX does not plan to use technology to replace union jobs. The ILA is firm in its position that technology is a threat to union jobs and issued a statement calling on the USMX to “alter its unwinnable strategy and resume negotiations.”
The strike suspension will end five days before Donald Trump is sworn as President and ILA President Harold Dagget says Trump “promised to support the ILA in its opposition to automated terminals.” Union members are firmly behind the fight on automation, setting up the potential for a resumption of a labor strike at East Coast Ports in January.
SFIA will continue to press for resolution of the outstanding contract issues, and government intervention if needed, to avoid an unnecessary disruption in supply chains.
For more information, please contact Bill Sells, SFIA SVP for Government & Public Affairs, at [email protected].
Washington, D.C. (October 4, 2024): Following an October 2 letter to President Biden, signed by SFIA and 300 organizations requesting the Administration engage in the East Coast Port labor contract talks, the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) agreed to a 62 percent wage increase for dockworkers and suspended the strike on October 3. The ports will need time to get back up to speed as they deal with the backlog from the strike, but supply chains are safe now.
The strike ‘suspension’ expires on January 15, providing a temporary reprieve during the Holiday season. The two sides will continue to negotiate on outstanding issues including benefits, sharing container royalties, and automation at the ports. Automation at the ports is likely to be the most contentious issue as the ILA seeks to protect union jobs threatened by new technology. SFIA will continue to press for resolution of the outstanding issues prior to January 15 to avoid any disruption in U.S. supply chains.
The ILA was seeking a 77 percent pay increase and USMX was offering a 50 percent increase. Secretary of Labor Su, Secretary of Transportation Buttigieg, and National Economic Council Director Brainard worked with the parties to come to an agreement to end the strike. SFIA commends the Administration for engaging the ILA and USMX to find common ground to keep the ports open and U.S. supply chains operating at full capacity.
For more information, please contact Bill Sells, SFIA SVP for Government & Public Affairs, at [email protected].
Washington, D.C. (October 3, 2024): On October 1, the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA), representing 45,000 workers at East and Gulf Coast Ports walked off the job due to contact demands not being met. The Ports represented by U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) have offered a 50 percent pay raise and increased benefits. The ILA is holding out for a 77 percent pay raise, a guarantee not to move to any form of automation that threatens union jobs, and a share of container royalties. With roughly half of U.S. commerce flowing through East and Gulf Coast Ports, a prolonged strike will disrupt supply chains during the critical holiday season.
U.S. supply chains are seriously threatened if ports are not operating at full capacity to keep goods flowing through the 14 East and Gulf Coast ports (Boston, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Wilmington (NC), Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, New Orleans, Mobile, and Houston). With President Biden indicating he is not ready to invoke the Taft-Hartley Act to force port workers to return to work, SFIA joined 180 business interests across America on October 2 in a letter to President Biden requesting he intervene in the labor dispute. The SFIA/U.S. business letter follows a request from Congressional Republicans asking the President to intervene and prevent a work stoppage at the ports. SFIA successfully engaged the Biden Administration for help on the West Coast Port Strike, the Rail Strike, and the UPS Strike to keep supply chains operating at full capacity.
The President has directed the ILA and USMX to return to the negotiating table and USMX met with Administration officials, but the ILA has declined to engage without a new contract offer. USMX has filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board alleging the ILA is not negotiating in good faith. With U.S. elections a month away, there is additional political pressure to resolve the strike and not have supply chain disruptions leading up to Election Day.
For more information, please contact Bill Sells, SFIA SVP for Government & Public Affairs, at [email protected].
Washington, D.C. (Sept 17, 2024): On September 17, SFIA joined other business interests on a letter to President Biden asking the Administration to work with the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) on resuming stalled contract negotiations as the September 30 deadline approaches. SFIA seeks to avoid any unnecessary and preventable supply chain disruptions created by a labor strike or slowdown at the East Coast Ports, which account for 43 percent of U.S. imports.
The Administration has previously helped with stalled labor talks for the West Coast Ports, Railroads, and UPS. SFIA appreciates the Administration’s previous engagement to keep supply chains operating at full capacity and implores them to do the same for East Coast Ports as the strike rhetoric ramps up. The ILA recently convened its leadership, who approved a strike if no contract agreement is reached, and launched preparations for a strike. The ILA is seeking a 77 percent pay raise; the West Coast Port Workers received a 32 percent raise in their 2023 contract and the sides remain far apart. Automation at ports is another sticking point, with the ILA wanting guarantees that union workers will not lose jobs to automation.
The USMX has stated it is prepared to return to the negotiating table, but the ILA has declined to return until better contract terms are offered. The letter seeks the Administration’s help in forcing the parties to the negotiating table to hammer out a deal and keep ports operating during contract talks.
For more information, please contact Bill Sells, SFIA SVP for Government & Public Affairs, at [email protected].
Washington, D.C. (Sept 6, 2024): Almost 300 unions representing port workers from Maine to Texas met yesterday to discuss current labor contract negotiations and reaffirm their demands. The International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) is seeking an 80 percent increase in wages and concessions on the use of automation at the ports. At the conclusion of the two-day meetings, ILA’s Wage Scale Delegates from the 13 port areas in negotiations with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), voted unanimously to support a strike beginning October 1.
After sharing an update on Contract negotiations, ILA President Harold Dagget called for the October 1 Strike, saying “…if we are without a Master Contract to replace the current one, we must be prepared if we have to hit the streets at 12:01 AM on Tuesday, October 1st”. ILA EVP Dennis Daggett laid out the union’s Stike Mobilization plan for ports to help unions plan for a potential strike.
The USMX and ILA have not met to discuss the new contract in more than a month and both sides filed a “Notice to Mediation Agencies with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FCMS)” to alert them of the dispute between the parties. USMX remains committed to reaching an agreement with the ILA unions and hopes to re-open dialogue with the dockworkers to discuss contract demands.
SFIA is working with business interests to engage the Administration in the dispute to avoid a strike and unnecessary disruptions in supply chains at the end of the month.
For more information, please contact Bill Sells, SFIA SVP for Government & Public Affairs, at [email protected].
Washington, D.C. (Aug 14, 2024): To keep steel and aluminum from China, and other countries under sanctions, out of the U.S. market, President Biden issued dual proclamations to discourage the transshipment of goods with steel and aluminum from China, Russia, Belarus, and Iran from reaching the U.S. market via Mexico. The new tariff rates went into effect on July 10 and imports already in free-trade zones are not exempt from the new tariffs.
Under the new proclamations, a 25 percent tariff would be collected on any steel or steel derivative products imported from Mexico under Section 232 tariffs if the steel is not poured or melted in a USMCA country (U.S., Mexico, or Canada). In addition, products containing aluminum or aluminum derivatives are hit with new Section 232 tariffs of approximately 10 percent if the primary smelt, secondary smelt, or most recent cast was performed in China, Belarus, or Iran. A 200 percent tariff would be applied to aluminum imports if smelts and recasts were performed in Russia.
Steel, aluminum, and derivative products not subject to the new tariffs will retain their exempt status with stricter reporting requirements. Importers must include a ‘Certificate of Analysis’ to receive a tariff exemption for steel and aluminum. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) now requires additional information on the source of smelting and pouring of steel or casting of aluminum to verify tariff-exempt status.
SFIA supports U.S. sanctions on steel and aluminum from bad actor countries but prefers a non-tariff solution to close the Mexico loophole.
For more information, please contact Bill Sells, SFIA SVP for Government & Public Affairs, at [email protected].
Washington, D.C. (Aug 13, 2024): With the September 30 deadline for a new Contract looming, the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) is holding firm in negotiations for a new contract for dockworkers from Maine to Texas. The ILA rejected the latest offer from the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) that included a pay raise 32 percent higher than West Coast dockworkers received last year. The ILA has indicated it is seeking a nearly 80 percent wage increase for dockworkers in the new contract.
In addition, the USMX contract includes a boost in starting salaries, increases in employer retirement contributions, and first-rate healthcare coverage. The ILA has cited an “autogate” at the Port of Mobile as “automation” threatening union jobs and the ILA was never consulted. With ‘Automation’ a major sticking point in contract talks, the USMX proposal requires ports to consult with the ILA on the introduction of new technology that impacts union jobs and hours.
The USMX remains committed to negotiating a Master Contract for all East and Gulf Coast Ports before the current contract expires on September 30th. ILA says the two sides“are very far apart, particularly on economic issues.” ILA President Harold Dagget has consistently said dockworkers will not work past September 30 without a new contract, setting up a potential showdown that will disrupt supply chains. With six weeks to finalize a deal, pressure is on to find common ground or we could see the first East Coast dockworker strike in almost 50 years.
A recent SFIA webinar on Supply Chains included a discussion on East Coast Ports and shipping options. Members can access the webinar recording and slides by clicking here.
For more information, please contact Bill Sells, SFIA SVP for Government & Public Affairs, at [email protected].
Washington, D.C. (July 19, 2024): On a recent SFIA Webinar, Navigating PFAS Regulations: Addressing Challenges and Consumer Concerns, legal and compliance experts Anne Marie Ellis, Shareholder, CA Chair Product Liability, Buchalter; Bailee Pelham, Associate, Buchalter; Sarahann Rackl, Ph.D., P.E, Principal Engineer, Exponent; and Sara Hearon, Ph.D., M.P.H., Senior Scientist, Exponent, shared the challenges presented by new PFAS regulations in the U.S. New York and California are leading the way on more expansive apparel PFAS content restrictions for products beginning in January of 2025, but Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Vermont all have new PFAS restrictions going into effect in the next four years with other states are expected to follow suit.
One of the biggest concerns is claiming products to be “PFAS-free”. Companies need to exercise caution in marketing claims to avoid any investigations into compliance with the new laws. There have already been 75 filings under Proposition 65 for PFAS and similar chemical violations in California this year, and the new laws haven’t even gone into effect yet.
The PFAS webinar identified footwear and apparel as industry products with the greatest exposure, especially if they are waterproof, but PFAS compliance is not limited to footwear and apparel. Ski wax is a PFAS target in Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, and Minnesota. Retailers are looking at vendor agreements for ways to move liability to manufacturers. One issue of particular concern is false advertising claims, which are not typically covered by insurers in class action lawsuits.
The health threats related to PFAS continue to grow as does the list of “forever” chemicals subject to PFAS restrictions. Claiming products are “PFAS-free” requires proof of claim or companies can be subjected to additional scrutiny and fines. SFIA was pleased to present this timely webinar to help the industry understand the exposure and risks posed by PFAS, and the actions needed to comply with new laws. The PFAS Webinar, along with all SFIA webinars, was free to members. Members can access the webinar recording and slides by clicking here.
For more information, please contact Bill Sells, SFIA SVP for Government & Public Affairs, at [email protected].
An interview with Youth Sports Champion Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN)
Congress is full of people who support youth sports, but few step up to lead the charge on innovative efforts to advance youth sports policies like Congressman Chuck Fleischmann. The Congressman understands youth sports, as a lifelong athlete himself who still plays on the Congressional Baseball, Football, and Basketball teams. Mr. Fleischmann is a regular in the gym, a long-time advocate of the PHIT Act to lower family activity costs, and recently, he led the successful effort to secure funding for a Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Study on the Economic Impact of Youth Sports. The BEA study will be a huge asset to the industry, layering the economic benefits of youth sports on top of the health and social benefits to advance youth sports policies.
SFIA recently sat down with Congressman Fleischmann to discuss youth sports, the benefits of participation, the barriers families face, and how participation in Congressional Sports has helped him build relationships on Capitol Hill and in DC.
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Q&A
Q: When did you start playing sports and how did your childhood sports experiences influence you?
A: Age five. Playing sports during my childhood taught me the importance of fair, strong competition.
Q: You came to Congress and immediately jumped into Congressional Sports, then dedicated yourself to improving your fitness. You are a model for healthy lifestyles. How has playing on the Congressional Baseball and Football teams helped you as a legislator? How has your commitment to fitness impacted your life?
A: As a Legislator, taking part in Congressional Sports, specifically playing every year in the Congressional Baseball Game and the Congressional Football Game, has allowed me to make strong friendships with Members in my own Conference, across the aisle, across the Capitol, and across multiple Administrations.
My commitment to fitness has allowed me, at almost 62, to live a healthy life, play healthy, and still be able to take part in competitive sports.
Q: What drives your passion for sports and commitment to ensuring America’s youth have the opportunity to play sports?
A: The love of all sports, but specifically, my love of the sport of baseball, and competition. America’s youth can learn early the values of healthy competition and avoid, if possible, negative lifestyle choices which would affect them in a harmful way as they grow older.
Q: What do you see as the biggest barriers and threats to youth sports participation? Biggest Benefits?
A: Barriers: Access and exposure, lack of resources.
Benefits: Creating relationships and friendships while enjoying the benefits of the sport(s) of their choosing.
Q: Thank you for your leadership in capturing the economic impact of youth sports. Why does the economic impact matter and how will knowing the economic side change the youth sports conversation in Washington?
A: Parents, friends, families, and communities will invest wisely in equipment, personnel, and facilities to promote youth sports. Tourism will also benefit.
For more information, please contact Bill Sells, SFIA SVP for Government & Public Affairs, at [email protected].