LA, Long Beach Port Watchmen Agree to Push Strike Deadline Another Day

The Pacific Maritime Association and the union representing 250 watchmen at ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach have once again agreed to extend contract negotiations for another day, putting off a potential strike at two of the largest shipping hubs on the West Coast.

According to a statement from the PMA, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 26 have extended their contract through midnight Pacific Time on November 6. In the meantime, negotiations are expected to continue with the help of federal mediators, with hopes of reaching a long-term deal.

The previous agreement between ILWU Local 26 and the PMA expired in July 2025. Employees continued to work under a series of extensions while negotiations took place, until the union authorized a strike after more than a year of failed talks. The union had initially set a November 1 deadline to reach a deal before going on strike, but agreed to extend talks to November 4, before pushing the deadline again to November 6.

Given that other longshore workers and clerks are expected to honor Local 26's picket lines, a strike could have wide-ranging impacts on terminals that handle roughly 85% of cargo at the Port of Long Beach, and a third of cargo at the Port of Los Angeles. Combined, the two ports handle about a third of the country's seaborne containerized goods.

This story was originally published by SupplyChainBrain. Read the full story at SupplyChainBrain →