Purported Work Slowdowns Shut Down Ports of LA, Long Beach

A dockworker shortage at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach stretched into a second day April 7, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times, in what the Pacific Maritime Association called a “concerted action to withhold labor” by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union amid contract negotiations. The ILWU local said its workers remain on the job.

“A majority of the jobs for last night’s shift went unfilled, including all jobs for cargo-handling equipment operators needed to load and unload cargo,” said the PMA, which represents the ports, in an April 7 statement. “The workers who did show up were released because there was not a full complement of ILWU members to operate the terminals,” the PMA said. “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 largest gateway for maritime trade in the United States.”

A statement from ILWU Local 13, which represents dockworkers at Los Angeles and Long Beach, appeared to deny any deliberate action by the union.

"Longshore workers at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (Ports) are still hard at work and remain committed to moving the nation’s cargo," the statement said. "On Friday, April 7, 2023, union members who observe religious holidays took the opportunity to celebrate with their families. Cargo operations are ongoing as longshore workers at the Ports remain on the job."

“NRF is closely monitoring the situation in California and has reiterated its concerns to the White House,” the National Retail Federation said in an emailed statement. “It is essential that the ongoing labor negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association are resolved immediately. We again call on the administration to engage and prevent any further disruption to port operations and cargo fluidity.”