Port Watchmen Threaten Strike at Eight LA and Long Beach Terminals
A labour dispute involving port watchmen could disrupt operations at eight marine terminals in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as early as 1 November, only weeks after the complex reported record cargo volumes.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 26 has warned other maritime unions that its members may strike when the latest extension of their labour agreement expires on Sunday. In a letter dated 23 October, Local 26 President Luisa Gratz said the union has been in unsuccessful contract talks with employers and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) since 2025.
"Although PMA has recently requested Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service's participation, and Local 26 agreed, nothing of value has resulted from the Union's commitment to bargaining in good faith with our employers and PMA," Gratz wrote. The union has worked under a series of extensions since last year.
Terminals and workers affected
The terminals named are APM Terminals, Long Beach Container Terminal, Total Terminals International, SSA at C-60, A-90 and LB 206, Pacific Container Terminal and OH 55.
Local 26 represents maritime security employees and watchmen who handle gate and cargo watch duties. Its agreement is separate from the coastwide contract for ILWU longshore workers and marine clerks, which runs through 2028.
Gratz appealed to other unions for support. "This letter shall serve as a preliminary notice of a problem and visible labor dispute, which will affect your members," she wrote. She also asked for "labor solidarity in respect for Local 26 Watchmen" at the terminals. The International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots, which represents licensed deck officers on US-flag vessels, said it would give members working at affected berths further guidance as the deadline nears.
A busy moment for the ports
Los Angeles and Long Beach both set all-time monthly records in September, handling a combined 2.04 million twenty-foot equivalent units. The National Retail Federation expects volumes at major US container ports to fall from 2.25 million units in October to 2 million in November.
The PMA was also at the centre of the last big West Coast port labour dispute, in 2023, when talks with the ILWU led to slowdowns and terminal shutdowns. It ended with a six-year coastwide agreement covering about 22,000 workers at 29 ports.
The notice does not confirm that a strike will take place, and the extent of any disruption remains unclear.
Source: gCaptain