Los Angeles and Long Beach port workers extend contract to November 20, averting strike for now

The employer group at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and the union representing maritime watchmen agreed on Monday (November 9) to extend their contract to November 20 and continue negotiating a new labour agreement, temporarily averting a strike that could have disrupted the busiest container port complex in the United States. (Image: file photo of the Port of Los Angeles.)

About 250 watchmen; federal mediation involved

According to Reuters, the Pacific Maritime Association and International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 26 agreed the extension, covering about 250 maritime watchmen, roughly 2% of workers at the ports. The two sides are negotiating with assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

A strike would have hit more than half the cargo

The employers said a strike by the watchmen would disrupt operations at terminals handling more than half of the ports' cargo, including roughly 85% at Long Beach and 33% at Los Angeles. The two ports each reported all-time cargo volume records for September. The previous strike deadline was November 6, and the talks have been extended several times.