250 Security Workers Could Disrupt Cargo at LA and Long Beach Ports

Approximately 250 maritime watchmen could disrupt cargo operations at major Los Angeles and Long Beach terminals if they strike and other union workers honor their picket lines, the ports' employer association has warned. A short contract extension has postponed that threat, leaving the security workers and employers in negotiations as of November 2. Bloomberg, via SupplyChainBrain

The Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union's Local 26 signed the extension on October 30. Talks will continue with assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, according to the employer association's announcement reported by gCaptain.

Talks buy more time

The extension runs through 5 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday, November 4, according to PMA statements reported independently by gCaptain and Bloomberg. An October 30 Reuters report instead gave November 5 as the negotiating deadline. The specific November 4 time is also reflected in the Long Beach Post's updated coverage.

The earlier extension had been due to expire November 1. The new deadline allows bargaining to continue, but no final settlement or confirmed walkout was reported in the latest coverage reviewed for this article.

A small workforce with outsized reach

Local 26 members provide security at individual terminals. Their contract is separate from the agreements covering other ILWU dockworkers and marine clerks. PMA has warned that those workers could honor a watchmen's picket line, potentially interrupting cargo operations at affected facilities. Bloomberg, via SupplyChainBrain

According to PMA, terminals employing the watchmen handle approximately 85% of Long Beach's cargo and 33% of Los Angeles' cargo. The potential impact therefore extends well beyond the size of the security workforce itself, particularly at Long Beach. gCaptain

Terminal security should not be confused with port-wide policing. Long Beach port officials told the Long Beach Post that Harbor Patrol and Long Beach Police Department security continued during negotiations. The port itself is not a party to the bargaining. Long Beach Post

A contract dispute at a busy waterfront

The previous watchmen's agreement expired in July 2025. The two sides have described their progress differently. In an October 23 letter reported by gCaptain, Local 26 President Luisa Gratz criticized the results of bargaining and appealed for support from other maritime unions. PMA said its offer included wage increases and pension improvements, while significant differences remained. The union's outstanding economic demands were not detailed in that notice. gCaptain's earlier reporting

The talks come after an exceptionally busy period. The Port of Los Angeles reported 1,042,652 twenty-foot equivalent units in September, its highest monthly total, and nearly 3 million units during its busiest quarter. Loaded imports rose 19% from a year earlier. Those figures help explain why continuity at the waterfront matters beyond the workers directly involved in negotiations. Port of Los Angeles

For security officers following the dispute, wages are only one part of the employment picture. Benefits, working conditions and contract terms also deserve attention when comparing positions. GuardGuides' Security Guard Career Toolkit offers resources for evaluating posts and comparing total compensation.