Possible Port Strike at Los Angeles & Long Beach

Urgent: Possible Port Strike at Los Angeles & Long Beach — November 1

We want to get this in front of you today because the clock is short.

Approximately 250 port watchmen represented by ILWU Local 26 could strike at eight container terminals in Los Angeles and Long Beach when their contract extension expires this Sunday, November 1. Talks since 2025 have, by the union's own account, produced nothing. The Pacific Maritime Association says it will keep negotiating through the deadline with federal mediators — but there is no agreement in place.

Here's why this matters even though it's a relatively small group of workers: the terminals covered by Local 26's strike notice handle roughly 85% of Long Beach's cargo and 33% of Los Angeles'. And critically, PMA expects other ILWU members not to cross Local 26 picket lines — which means vessel, yard, and gate operations could halt well beyond the watchmen themselves.

Terminals named in the strike notice include:

APM Terminals
Long Beach Container Terminal
Total Terminals International
SSA at C-60
Pacific Container Terminal
Three additional locations

This is separate from the coastwide ILWU agreement, which runs through 2028. This is a local contract dispute — but the potential operational impact is port-wide.

What you should do before Sunday:

Find out which terminal your cargo is at. If you have shipments arriving at or departing from LA or Long Beach, confirm the terminal now. Don't assume — ask your carrier or freight forwarder.

Arrange pickups and deliveries before November 1 wherever possible. If your cargo is at or moving through an affected terminal, accelerate any scheduling you can.

Ask your carriers now about demurrage and detention. If a strike goes ahead and cargo sits, those charges accumulate fast. Clarify your carrier's policy before it becomes an emergency.

Communicate proactively with your customers. If you have shipments due to arrive in the next two to three weeks, let your customers know there may be delays. Better to set expectations now than explain them after.

We are monitoring this situation closely and will update you as developments warrant. If you have cargo moving through LA or Long Beach and want to talk through your options, please reach out to our team directly — we're here.

Sources:

GCaptain

The Maritime Executive