Labor negotiations for security workers at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have been extended for the third time, again pushing back the possibility of a strike at the twin gateways.
The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the Local 26 branch of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have agreed to extend their contract through Nov. 20, with additional talks scheduled during that period. The negotiation deadline for a new contract was initially pushed back from Nov. 1 to Nov. 4, before being delayed a second time to Nov. 6.
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While the union representing the security guards has not commented publicly on the negotiations, the PMA said it “remains committed to reaching a fair agreement at the bargaining table that avoids disruption at the nation’s two busiest ports.”
The roughly 250 port watchmen have been working under a contract extension since the deal between the local union and the PMA expired last July. Despite the parties meeting regularly for talks, according to the association, there has been no progress on a deal.
The guards operate under a separate contract from the rest of the ILWU dockworkers who negotiated a six-year deal in June 2023.
Jonathan Gold, vice president for supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation ( NRF ), acknowledged the strike threat, but did not sweat over the potential work stoppage’s impact on holiday sales.
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