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Port of Los Angeles strike threat deferred to Nov. 20
Disruptions at affected terminals could impact 85% of cargo at Port of Long Beach and a third of cargo at Port of L.A.
Shipping containers at the Port of Los Angeles. (Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg)
Key Takeaways:
- The Pacific Maritime Association and ILWU Local 26 extended security workers’ contract through Nov. 20, with additional negotiations scheduled.
- A strike could affect terminals handling about 85% of Port of Long Beach cargo and a third of Port of Los Angeles cargo.
- The parties continue bargaining with federal mediation after the union authorized a strike and their previous contract expired in July 2025.
The union representing about 250 security workers at the U.S.’s busiest ports agreed to continue negotiations on a new labor contract for two more weeks, their employers said.
The latest extension goes through Nov. 20, with additional talks scheduled with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 26 scheduled during that period, the Pacific Maritime Association said in a statement. The two sides had already extended a couple of times, initially from Nov. 1 to Nov. 4, and then to midnight Nov. 6.
READ MORE: Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach set all-time records
“PMA remains committed to reaching a fair agreement at the bargaining table that avoids disruption at the nation’s two busiest ports,” it said.
The Nov. 6 deadline had coincided with the very moment that the Vincent Thomas Bridge — which connects the ports to a major highway — is set to close for repairs for more than a year. Disruptions at the affected terminals could impact roughly 85% of the cargo that moves through the Port of Long Beach and a third of the cargo at the Port of Los Angeles, according to the PMA. The adjacent ports reported record cargo volumes last month and together handle about a third of they country’s seaborne containerized goods.
The previous labor contract expired in July 2025, though the PMA, which represents port terminals and ocean carriers, and ILWU Local 26 have been meeting regularly to negotiate with the assistance of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The situation escalated recently ago after the union authorized a strike.
PMA Statement on Negotiations with ILWU Local 26 at the Ports of LA and Long Beach (November 6) -- The Pacific Maritime Association and ILWU Local 26 have agreed to extend their contract through Nov. 20, with additional talks scheduled during that period. PMA remains committed to reaching a fair agreement at the bargaining table that avoids disruption at the nation’s two busiest ports. ###
— Pacific Maritime Association (@WestCoastPorts) November 7, 2026
Local 26 members provide security at six container terminals at the Southern California ports. The PMA warned on Oct. 27 that ILWU dockworkers and marine clerks — who have separate labor contracts and are not party to this dispute — were expected to stand with the Local 26 watchmen in the event of a strike.
Port of Long Beach CEO Noel Hacegaba said he expected the elevated container volumes to continue through at least the beginning of next year.
“We expect to be busy at least through the first month of the new year and possibly through the first quarter,” Hacegaba told Bloomberg earlier this week, adding that cargo needed to supply the AI boom is among the growth drivers.
