LA, Long Beach port employers, union extend talks to Nov. 5

Key facts

• Maritime watchmen control and inspect truck and employee entries at terminal gates.
• Watchmen provide terminal security and guard and track critical cargo.
• The union watchmen work at terminals handling 85% of Port of Long Beach cargo and 33% of Port of Los Angeles cargo.
• The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach reported record cargo volume in September.

The employer group for the Los Angeles and Long Beach seaports and ILWU Local 26 have agreed to extend their labor negotiations until November 5, averting a potential strike by approximately 250 maritime watchmen. The extension was announced on Friday by the Pacific Maritime Association, which stated that negotiations would continue with the assistance of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The union watchmen are responsible for controlling and inspecting truck and employee entries at terminal gates, providing terminal security, and guarding and tracking critical cargo. These workers are employed at terminals that handle about 85% of the cargo at the Port of Long Beach and 33% at the Port of Los Angeles. Both ports reported all-time cargo volume records for September, including retail goods for holiday sales, equipment for AI data center construction, and auto parts.