Port watchmen union, maritime employers extend talks to end of Friday as possible strike looms – Daily Breeze

The Pacific Maritime Association and ILWU Local 26 have agreed to extend the negotiating deadline for a new union contract until 11:59 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, the PMA has announced, delaying a potential strike at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for at least another day.

“Negotiations will continue on Friday with the help of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service,” a PMA statement said. “Local 26 represents about 250 watchmen, roughly 2% of the ILWU workforce at the ports.

“PMA,” the statement added, “remains committed to reaching a fair agreement at the bargaining table that avoids disruption at the nation’s two busiest ports.”

A strike by the local International Longshore and Warehouse Union group would likely lead to a more widespread walkout at terminals handling roughly 85% of port cargo at Long Beach and 33% at Los Angeles, the PMA statement said.

“Longshore workers, marine clerks and other ILWU members work under a separate coastwide contract and are not party to this dispute,” an earlier PMA statement said. “However, they are not expected to cross any Local 26 picket line, which  could halt vessel, yard and gate operations at the affected terminals.”

The latest extension follows an earlier agreement that pushed a potential walkout from Sunday, Nov. 1, to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4.

The ongoing labor talks, which began last year, come as both ports have been handling record cargo numbers.

“The Port of Los Angeles encourages all parties to continue negotiating in good faith toward a mutually acceptable resolution,” the port said in a previous statement. “We recognize the importance of reaching an agreement that serves the interests of the parties involved while ensuring the continued movement of cargo through our port. We remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached without any disruption to operations.”

Port of Long Beach CEO Noel Hacegaba, meanwhile, said in a written statement that his port is “closely monitoring the negotiations.”

“We remain hopeful both sides will reach an agreement soon,” he said. “While the affected watchmen provide security within individual terminals, port-wide security provided by the Harbor Patrol and the Long Beach Police Department continues uninterrupted during negotiations. Although the Port of Long Beach is not a party to the negotiations, we want to assure our customers that we remain committed to moving cargo through our port safely and reliably.”