Dispute Causes LA Ports To Close For 24 Hours

The majority of terminals at the ports of both Los Angeles and Long Beach were closed for 24 hours on Friday due to the ongoing labour dispute.

Operations came to a halt at all seven of the port terminals in Los Angeles, and at four of Long Beach’s six terminals, when many workers did not arrive for their shifts on Friday morning.

Although no official strike was declared, the port have accused the unions of staging a 24-hour work stoppage, as negotiations show no sign of a breakthrough.

Labour talks for west coast ports began last May, and despite a resolution being seemingly in sight last month, port employees have been working without a contract since last July, when the old contract expired.

US trade organisations are now lobbying the federal government to intervene, fearing that the risk of port strikes will damage economic recovery. Los Angeles port, in conjunction with neighbouring Long Beach, remains the gateway to and from Asia.

Croft Cargo are monitoring developments closely.

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