By Laura Curtis | Bloomberg
The largest container gateway into the US remained closed Friday morning as a shortage of dockworker labor that halted operations Thursday evening goes into a second day.
“ILWU Local 13 withheld labor again for this morning’s shift. The action by the Union has effectively shut down the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach,” the Pacific Maritime Association said in a statement.
The terminal closures come as cargo volumes have dropped sharply at the Southern California ports from peak levels a year ago. The threat of disruptions and delays during contract talks has spurred retailers, manufacturers and other importers to avoid potential shipping snarls by diverting goods to the East and Gulf coasts.
Related Articles
Longshore union, shippers at odds over lunch break rule as labor talks continue
Ports of LA, Long Beach join state bid to be federal hydrogen fuel hub
The National Retail Federation said it has renewed a call to the White House to engage in the labor negotiations and prevent disruptions to cargo flows in a statement Friday.
“The West Coast ports, especially those in Los Angeles and Long Beach, are a pivotal entry point to the United States that allow American consumers access to global products and essential goods,” Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French said.
The PMA, which represents ocean carriers and terminal operators in contract negotiations that have been ongoing since last May, said while some workers showed up Thursday evening a majority of the jobs went unfulfilled.
“The workers who did show up were released because there was not a full complement of ILWU members to operate the terminals.”
The closures coincide with a changeover in leadership as Gary Herrera, who previously served as vice president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union’s Local 13 chapter, took over for outgoing President Ramon Ponce de Leon.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union’s Local 13 chapter declined to comment. A call from Bloomberg to the ILWU Local 13 president’s office Friday morning has not been returned.