Negotiations over a new labour contract for US West Coast dockworkers are under increasing strain, as their employers say a failure to spread out lunch breaks has disrupted operations at the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach since Wednesday. The statement is the most visible acknowledgment of a labour disruption since talks began last May, and it comes as cargo volumes have dropped sharply at the Southern California ports from peak levels a year ago. The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) said the actions are causing “significant delays.” And, because the two sides have been operating without a contract since July 1, “there is no option for PMA to arbitrate the matter and require the union to man the terminals continuously without interruption.”
