Ports of LA/LB, watchmen extend contract through 20 November as negotiations continue

Negotiations continue amid an effort to avoid a work stoppage at the West Coast ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (LA/LB), and the union and the ports have agreed to extend their contract through 20 November.

International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 26, the union representing about 250 port watchmen at the ports of LA/LB, and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), which represents employers, will continue negotiating a new contract during the extension.

Should the watchmen strike, operations at eight terminals in the port complex could be brought to a halt.

Watchmen make up only 2% of ILWU workers at the two ports but work at terminals handling roughly 85% of Long Beach’s cargo and 33% of Los Angeles’ cargo.

This story was originally published by Hellenic Shipping News. Read the full story at Hellenic Shipping News →