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Port watchmen contract talks now run to Nov. 20 in Southern California

Port watchmen contract talks at Los Angeles and Long Beach now run to November 20, after employers and ILWU Local 26 again put off a possible strike.

Two security officers pass a two-way radio at a shift change while a colleague works at a desk behind them.

Port watchmen contract talks at Los Angeles and Long Beach will continue through November 20, after the Pacific Maritime Association and ILWU Local 26 extended their bargaining deadline on Friday, Reuters reported via SRN News. The extension put off a possible strike by about 250 security workers at the busiest US container port complex.

Key points#

  • The new bargaining deadline is November 20, Reuters reported via SRN News.
  • The watchmen check truck and employee entries at terminal gates, provide terminal security and guard cargo on the docks, according to the same report.
  • The employer group says a strike would disrupt terminals that handle about 85% of Long Beach cargo and 33% of Los Angeles cargo, FreightWaves reported.
  • No new contract has been announced in the reports we read, and the old one expired in July 2025, FreightWaves reported.

How the deadline kept moving#

The deadline has now moved several times. An earlier extension took a possible walkout from November 1 to Wednesday, November 4, and the next one moved it to midnight on Friday, November 6, FreightWaves reported. Federal mediators joined the Friday session, Insurance Journal reported.

The employer group said on Friday that more talks were scheduled, Reuters reported via SRN News. Local 26 did not immediately respond to a request for comment for that report. The report does not say what happens if there is no agreement by November 20.

Why a small unit matters#

The watchmen are about 2% of ILWU workers at the two ports, Sourcing Journal reported. The employer group has warned that dockworkers and marine clerks, who have separate contracts, are expected to honor picket lines if the watchmen strike, FreightWaves reported.

The employer group says full-time watchmen average more than $170,000 with fully paid health care and pension benefits, Sourcing Journal reported. The union has not publicly commented during the talks, according to that report, and neither side has laid out the open issues in the reports we read.

What it means for your company#

  • Know which of your posts depend on one labor contract. If you guard sites at or near a port, list the posts that would feel a stoppage first, such as truck gates and cargo yards.
  • Prepare a coverage plan before a deadline. Build a backup schedule now, and decide who approves extra hours if a client asks for more officers on short notice.
  • Update instructions for a changed site. If gate traffic backs up or a picket line forms, officers need clear post orders on where to stand, who to call and what to record.
  • Check your contract terms. Review how your client contracts handle labor disputes at a client's site, and ask an attorney about any labor law question.

Guardix is software for security companies that covers scheduling, patrols, reports and a client portal.

Frequently asked questions#

What is the new deadline for the port watchmen talks?#

The Pacific Maritime Association and ILWU Local 26 extended bargaining through November 20, Reuters reported via SRN News. The earlier deadline was midnight on November 6.

Who are the port watchmen?#

They are about 250 union security workers who control gates, secure terminals and guard cargo at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Reuters reported via SRN News.

Have the watchmen gone on strike?#

No strike had started when the deadline was extended on Friday, and the extension was made to keep talks going, Reuters reported via SRN News.

Sources#

  • Unions
  • Ports
  • California

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