The threatened strike by port watchmen at Los Angeles and Long Beach has been postponed until 5 p.m. Pacific time on Wednesday, November 4. ILWU Local 26 and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) agreed October 30 to extend their contract while negotiations continue.
The extension replaces the original November 1 deadline, but the dispute is not resolved. The two sides are still negotiating with help from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The talks involve about 250 watchmen who handle gate security and cargo watch at six container terminals, including APM Terminals, Long Beach Container Terminal, Total Terminals International, SSA Marine, and Pacific Container Terminal.
PMA has warned that ILWU dockworkers and marine clerks, who are not part of the dispute, are expected to honor any picket lines. That could halt vessel, yard, and gate operations at terminals handling about 85% of Long Beach’s cargo and a third of Los Angeles’. Together, the two ports handle about a third of U.S. seaborne containerized trade and set cargo records in September.
IAM Member Impact: With the new deadline, members with household goods or consolidated containers at affected terminals should try to collect them before 5 p.m. Pacific time on Wednesday, November 4. Check with carriers about any vessel diversions and how demurrage and detention charges will be handled if a strike goes ahead. Prepare to tell customers with shipments due in the coming weeks about possible delays.
Sources: SupplyChainBrain; FreightWaves