The news
Employers and the union representing about 250 security watchmen at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have extended contract talks to Nov 20, delaying a possible strike. The watchmen belong to Local 26 of the ILWU.
Local 26 members work at terminals handling about 85% of Long Beach's cargo and 33% of Los Angeles's, the Pacific Maritime Association says.
The watchmen have worked under contract extensions since their previous agreement expired in July 2025.
Why it matters: The employers’ group expects other dockworkers to honor the watchmen’s picket lines. A strike could therefore disrupt operations well beyond the 250 security workers.
The details
The extension gives both sides more time to resolve a dispute that has lasted more than a year. However, the employers’ group says significant differences remain. The union has identified eight terminal locations that could be affected by a strike.
A walkout could halt vessel, yard and gate work at affected terminals, the employers' group warned.
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is helping with the talks.
The strike deadline had already been pushed from Nov 1 to Nov 4, then to midnight on Nov 6.
The negotiations come after the Port of Los Angeles recorded its busiest month ever in September. The port handled 1.04 million TEUs, up 18% from a year earlier, port data show.
Long Beach also set a monthly record in September.
The two ports together handled a record 2.04 million TEUs.
What’s next
A separate contract covering more than 22,000 longshore workers at 29 West Coast ports runs through July 2028.
(Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
