Eight marine terminals at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in the United States could face disruption from 1 November as port watchmen threaten strike action over stalled contract negotiations. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 26 has warned fellow maritime unions that its members could walk out when their latest contract extension expires on Sunday.
In an October 23 letter, Local 26 president Luisa Gratz said negotiations with employers and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) had stalled despite talks continuing since 2025 and the involvement of federal mediators. The affected facilities are APM Terminals, Long Beach Container Terminal, Total Terminals International, SSA terminals C-60, A-90 and LB 206, Pacific Container Terminal and OH 55.
The dispute threatens to disrupt operations at a particularly busy time for Southern California’s ports, which handled a record combined 2.04 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in September. Local 26 represents maritime security personnel responsible for gate security and cargo watch duties.
Its contract is separate from the coastwide agreement covering ILWU longshore workers and marine clerks, which runs until 2028. Although the dispute involves a smaller workforce, a strike could have wider consequences if picket lines restrict terminal access or other maritime workers refuse to cross them.
The PMA was involved in the 2023 West Coast port labour dispute, which triggered work slowdowns and terminal closures before a six-year agreement was reached covering about 22,000 workers at 29 ports. Gratz has appealed to other maritime unions for solidarity, warning that the dispute could affect their members.
The International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots said it would issue further guidance to members working at affected berths as the deadline approaches.