A potential strike at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports has been pushed back to Wednesday as roughly 250 watchmen and their maritime employers make more room to negotiate on terms for a new labor contract.
The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) confirmed it had reached the extension with the Local 26 branch of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which represents port security guards who handle gate security and cargo watch duties at the nation’s two largest ports.
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The extension will run through 5 p.m. Pacific time on Wednesday, Nov. 4, three days after the initial deadline was expected to pass. The labor dispute remains unresolved.
“PMA remains committed to reaching a fair agreement at the bargaining table that avoids disruption at the nation’s two busiest ports,” the statement read. The union has not provided comment on the matter.
Local 26 is stationed at the terminals’ entry and exit points across both ports, where cargo passes through.
Although the watchmen comprise roughly 2 percent of the union’s total workforce at the San Pedro Bay port complex, such a labor stoppage would likely be disruptive. If they walk off the job, vessel, yard and gate operations at the affected terminals could be suspended.
The watchmen work at terminals that handle roughly 85 percent of the cargo moving through the Port of Long Beach and 33 percent at the Port of Los Angeles .
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