John Donegan at The Long Beach Post reports the busiest year on record so far for the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach could run aground if bargaining between a small Security Workers Union and Shipping Companies isn’t resolved. International Longshore and Warehouse Union’s (ILWU) Local 26, which represents about 250 Watchmen who provide security at individual Shipping Terminals, has authorized a Strike that was to have started today (Sunday, November 1s). But both sides have agreed to an extension of contract talks until Wednesday. The Union represents about 2% of the ILWU’s Membership, but their work is spread across six Terminals - split between Long Beach and Los Angeles - that handle more than half of the Complex’s cargo, including 85% at the Long Beach Seaport. If the Strike takes place, officials say thousands of other Unionized Dockworkers - the Longshoremen, Marine Clerks and Foremen - could honor the picket lines and not go to work. That would halt much of the work at the Ports - which handle more than 31% of the Nation’s containerized cargo - just as the heavy shipping season for Holiday merchandise begins to gather steam. Negotiations have been on-going since July 2025 after the contract expired between the ILWU and Pacific Maritime Association, which represents the operators of all 12 Terminals at the Port Complex.

To Read This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Strike vote by security workers threatens to halt most cargo at Port of Long Beach | LAist And LA, Long Beach Port Watchmen Strike Pushed to Wednesday as Talks Continue