LA-Long Beach watchmen contract extended to Nov. 20 as talks continue
The Pacific Maritime Association and ILWU Local 26 agreed to a third extension, pushing a possible strike deadline past the Friday midnight cutoff.
The contract covering security watchmen at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will stay in place for two more weeks.
The Pacific Maritime Association said Nov. 6 that it and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 26 have agreed to extend their contract through Nov. 20, with more talks scheduled during that period. The previous extension ran to midnight Pacific time on Friday, Nov. 6.
A small group with a big footprint
According to PMA, Local 26 represents about 250 watchmen, roughly 2% of the ILWU workforce at the two ports. PMA has said a strike by this group would put at risk operations at terminals that handle more than half of the ports' cargo, including roughly 85% at Long Beach and 33% at Los Angeles.
How the deadline moved
- Oct. 30: PMA said the two sides signed an extension through 5 p.m. Pacific time on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
- Nov. 4: The parties extended the contract through midnight Pacific time on Friday, Nov. 6, with talks continuing Friday with help from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
- Nov. 6: The contract was extended through Nov. 20.
"PMA remains committed to reaching a fair agreement at the bargaining table that avoids disruption at the nation's two busiest ports," the association said in its latest statement.
What it means for drayage
For harbor truckers and the cargo owners that rely on the San Pedro Bay complex, the extension removes the immediate risk of a weekend disruption at the affected terminals. It also sets a new date to watch just ahead of the Thanksgiving week.
PMA's statements are posted on its news page.