Pacific Maritime Association and ILWU Local 26 have extended contract negotiations through 5 p.m. Pacific Time on November 4, pushing back a threatened walkout by about 250 maritime watchmen at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
The watchmen perform security-related duties at terminals that move roughly 85 percent of cargo through the Port of Long Beach and 33 percent through the Port of Los Angeles. PMA warned that other ILWU workers are unlikely to cross Local 26 picket lines, a scenario that could halt vessel, yard and gate operations at affected terminals. The union has identified eight terminal locations exposed to a stoppage.
Bargaining continues under federal mediation
The sides have been negotiating since the previous contract expired in July 2025. Local 26 has accused employers of failing to make meaningful progress, while PMA says significant differences remain after more than a year of talks. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is assisting the discussions.
'PMA remains committed to reaching a fair agreement at the bargaining table that avoids disruption at the nation's two busiest ports,' the employer association said.
The extension delays but does not resolve the dispute. The Southern California port complex handled a combined record 2.04 million twenty-foot equivalent units in September, with the Port of Los Angeles alone posting 1,042,652 TEUs, its busiest month in 118 years.
For shipowners, charterers and brokers, the immediate risk has been postponed, but the unresolved labor issue leaves terminal operations exposed if talks collapse after the November 4 deadline. Labor disruptions at major gateway ports typically prompt shippers to reassess berth planning and cargo timing.
Cover image: Achim Lammerts (Syntaxys), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
As Editor in Chief of The Maritime, I lead content development, interviews, and digital storytelling across our multimedia maritime platform. With over 10 years of experience in the maritime industry, I create and publish in-depth stories and video features that highlight key players, emerging trends, and operational realities across global shipping. Before launching The Maritime, I worked as a Vessel Operator at Imza Marine A.S., gaining hands-on commercial shipping and voyage operations experience. I also served as Marketing Communications Specialist at Gimas Ship Supply & Services, where I managed corporate communication, digital strategy, and industry outreach for shipowners and maritime clients. I hold a Master’s degree in Maritime Transportation Management from Istanbul Technical University and a Master’s degree in Publishing from Marmara University. My work is driven by the belief that the maritime world deserves strong, informed, and accessible media representation. I am committed to sharing the stories of maritime professionals and contributing to the sector’s visibility, knowledge exchange, and future development.
