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Strike deadline pushed to Nov. 6 at Port of Los Angeles
Renewed threat could affect operations at Port of Long Beach as well
Cranes and shipping containers at the Port of Long Beach in California. (Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg)
Key Takeaways:
- The union representing about 250 security workers at the nation’s two busiest ports extended its contract negotiation deadline to midnight Nov. 6.
- A strike could disrupt terminals handling more than half the combined cargo at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, employers said.
- Negotiations will continue Nov. 6 with federal mediators, while the Pacific Maritime Association said it remains committed to avoiding disruption.
The union representing about 250 security workers at the U.S.’s biggest seaports agreed to extend a contract negotiation deadline until midnight Nov. 6, their employers said.
With the extension comes a renewed strike threat that could impact operations at several terminals across the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles if no deal is reached.
“Negotiations will continue on Friday with the help of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service,” the Pacific Maritime Association said in a statement on the evening ov Nov. 4.
“PMA remains committed to reaching a fair agreement at the bargaining table that avoids disruption at the nation’s two busiest ports.”
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 26 represents watchmen employed at terminals responsible for about more than half of the combined cargo at the Southern California ports, according to the PMA.
Updated PMA Statement on Contract Talks with ILWU Local 26 (November 4, 2026) – The Pacific Maritime Association and ILWU Local 26 have agreed to extend their contract through midnight Pacific Time on Friday night, November 6. Negotiations will continue on Friday with the help of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Local 26 represents about 250 watchmen, roughly 2% of the ILWU workforce at the ports. Yet a strike by this small group would put at risk operations at terminals that handle more than half of the ports’ cargo, including roughly 85% at Long Beach and 33% at Los Angeles. 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 5, 2026
ILWU Local 26 President Luisa Gratz did not return a request for comment.
The PMA, which represents port terminals and ocean carriers, warned on Oct. 27 that ILWU dockworkers and marine clerks — who have separate labor contracts and are not party to this dispute — are expected to stand with the watchmen in the event of a strike.
