The union of security workers at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (ILWU Local ٢٦) has announced that it will strike if a new contract agreement is not reached by Sunday. This union, which includes ٢٥٠ members, operates in one of the most important container terminal complexes in the United States, and its strike could affect half of the facilities at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
History of Negotiations
Negotiations between ILWU and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) began last year. Despite federal mediation efforts, the two sides have not yet reached a satisfactory agreement. PMA has stated that there are "significant differences" between the positions of the two sides.
Possible Consequences of the Strike
If a strike occurs, its impacts on port activities and the transportation of goods at the national level will be significant. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are recognized as the largest container terminal hub in the United States and set a new record for the volume of imported goods in September. These two ports handled a total of two million TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) during this month.
The executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, Gene Seroka, has pointed out that federal policies have also influenced the increase in cargo volume. He added that "tariffs are lower than the levels observed earlier this year and last year, and this gives importers more confidence regarding costs and allows them to replenish their inventories more quickly."
While the union of security workers and PMA continue their negotiations, there is concern that a failure to reach an agreement could lead to a strike that could cause serious disruptions in the supply chain of goods.
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