The next strike deadline at the busiest US container gateway is 20 November. Employers and the watchmen's union signed a third contract extension in two weeks, moving the date from midnight on Friday 6 November1, 2.
About 250 ILWU Local 26 members had been free to walk out when the previous extension lapsed. Talks ran late into Friday night before the new date was agreed, and more sessions are scheduled in the fortnight ahead1, 2.
Each round has ended the same way: a short extension, no agreement, a new date. The first deadline, 1 November, became 5pm on 4 November, then midnight on 6 November2, 5. No stoppage has been reported3, 6.
The employers' group repeated its position: "PMA remains committed to reaching a fair agreement at the bargaining table that avoids disruption at the nation's two busiest ports," it said in a statement2.
What a walkout would stop
Watchmen carry out security duties at marine terminals, including gate and cargo watch7. They are about 2% of the ILWU workforce at the two ports. PMA says the terminals where they work handle roughly 85% of Long Beach cargo and 33% of Los Angeles cargo3.
The effect would spread past the security posts. PMA expects other ILWU members to honor Local 26 picket lines. Those longshore workers and marine clerks have separate contracts5, 2. Vessel, yard and gate operations could stop at the affected terminals3.
The two sides count the exposed facilities differently. PMA says Local 26 members provide security at six container terminals2. The union's strike notice named eight terminal locations: APM Terminals, Long Beach Container Terminal, Total Terminals International, SSA at C-60, A-90 and LB 206, Pacific Container Terminal and OH 557.
Where the talks stand
In its last public account of the talks, on 27 October, PMA said every tentative agreement so far had been based on a union proposal7. It said none of the employers' proposals had been resolved. Its offer included wage increases and pension improvements, and full-time watchmen earn an average of more than $170,000 a year with employer-paid healthcare and pension, the association said7.
Local 26 President Luisa Gratz told other maritime unions on 23 October that "nothing of value has resulted from the Union's commitment to bargaining in good faith with our employers and PMA"7. The union has not set out its economic demands publicly7.
The contract expired in July 20252. Both sides have met with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, a federal agency that provides mediation in labor disputes2, 8.
Bridge detours land on the same cargo
The Vincent Thomas Bridge, a link between the ports and the highway network, closed on 7 November for a 16-month deck replacement4. About 53,000 vehicles cross it on an average day, and nearly 9% of that traffic is heavy trucks4. Traffic is being detoured mainly along I-710, I-110, State Route 103 and Harry Bridges Boulevard4.
Volumes are high. The Port of Los Angeles moved 1,042,652.30 TEU, the standard 20-foot container measure, in September, 18.07% more than a year earlier9. Average truck dwell at the complex was 3.18 days in September and rail dwell 7.19 days4. One market participant told ICIS it was planning two extra days of lead time, and another said delays were adding three to four days4.
The Port of Long Beach has extended evening and Saturday gates at terminals for six weeks, excluding the week of Thanksgiving4.
Forwarders are not yet calling for rerouting. Dimerco advised clients to speed up container pickup and delivery where they can10. Woodland Group told customers to review time-sensitive cargo, confirm terminal operating arrangements and watch for changes to collections, deliveries and vessel services10.
What comes next
This is the first time the deadline has been pushed out by weeks rather than days, and it now falls after the autumn import peak. The National Retail Federation expects volumes at major US container ports to fall from 2.25 million TEU in October to 2 million in November7.