If you have been keeping up with the news this week, you may have seen a clip or two of disruptive actions at the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
ABC Channel7 news and several other news broadcasts reported today that the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have closed due to widespread worker shortages apparently linked to ongoing contract talks. Unions representing workers at the two ports are in talks for a new contract.
The ILWU Local 13 withheld workers from their shifts starting Thursday evening, according to the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents shipping employers on the West Coast.
“The action by the Union has effectively shut down the Ports of LA and Long Beach – the largest gateway for maritime trade in the United States,” stated a PMA representative.
According to news reports the Union, released a statement making no mention of any formal work action.
The Olive Grove was able to obtain a copy of a notice sent out by the Union to trucking companies stating:
“On Thursday, April 6 at 5:00 pm Pacific Standard Time, ILWU Local 13 crane operators and top handler drivers decided to reject their job assignments that were ordered by the employers for the evening’s second shift, impacting all terminals. As a result, no operations were performed on the night shift with the uncertainty of not knowing if they would be able to resume for Friday’s 1st shift.”
It was rumored that crane operators walked off due to a health and safety issue. Social Media reports that anything else that transpired over the past 24 hours would be of a sensitive nature and need not be discussed further stating “Long Shore workers at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are still hard at work and remain committed to moving the nation’s cargo.”
The ILWU is monitoring the situation to see if this is a single-shift event or if this will continue.
