A potential strike involving approximately 250 ILWU Local 26 port watchmen could significantly disrupt operations at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach when their labour agreement extension expires on November 1. The Pacific Maritime Association warns that affected terminals handle approximately 85% of Long Beach’s cargo and 33% of Los Angeles’ cargo, with other ILWU workers potentially refusing to cross picket lines, resulting in widespread terminal shutdowns. The dispute comes as the two ports recorded a combined 2.04 million TEUs in September, their highest monthly cargo volumes on record. Negotiations remain ongoing with federal mediation assistance, but unresolved differences have raised concerns about significant disruptions to vessel operations, cargo movement and U.S. supply chains.
