The news
The Pacific Maritime Association and Local 26 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have extended the watchmen’s contract to midnight Pacific on Friday, Nov 6. It is the second extension since the original Nov 1 deadline, which was first moved to Nov 4.
Talks resume Friday with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
About 250 watchmen, roughly 2% of ILWU workers at the two ports, are involved in the dispute.
The details
A walkout could affect terminals handling more than half the combined cargo at Los Angeles and Long Beach. The affected terminals handle about 85% of Long Beach’s cargo and a third of Los Angeles’.
Watchmen check trucks and workers entering terminal gates and guard critical cargo on the docks.
The PMA expects other ILWU dockworkers and clerks to honor Local 26 picket lines. If they do, affected terminals could stop handling ships and moving cargo in their yards. Trucks could also be turned away.
The coastwide longshore contract covers about 22,000 workers at 29 ports and runs through 2028. Other West Coast ports are not part of this dispute.
The contract deadline also coincides with a major road closure. The Vincent Thomas Bridge, which carries State Route 47 between San Pedro and Terminal Island, closes at 12:01 am, Nov. 7, for 16 months. It is due to reopen in early 2028.
Caltrans says it coordinated the closure with the ports, shipping companies and labor unions.
Local police will increase commercial truck enforcement during the closure.
What’s next
Federal mediators join negotiations Friday. If the parties fail to reach an agreement, the contract expires at midnight, leaving the affected terminals exposed to a walkout.
(Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
