UPDATE, NOV 6, 2026: Both parties have agreed to extend the contract deadline through November 20, according to a late-night statement from the PMA. Multiple bargaining sessions are scheduled through the next two weeks.
“PMA remains committed to reaching a fair agreement at the bargaining table that avoids disruption at the nation's two busiest ports.”
LONG BEACH, CA–Negotiators with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 26 and the Pacific Maritime Association, the group that represents their employers are continuing to bargain a new contract as a strike looms over West Coast shipping routes.
ILWU represents 250 watchmen at the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles; their prior agreement expired in July 2025. Workers authorized a potential strike at the port if an agreement isn't reached. As negotiations continue, the two parties have agreed to extend the contract twice now, past the original Nov 1 strike deadline. The new deadline is midnight on Nov 6.
"PMA and Local 26 have met regularly for more than a year, since the prior agreement expired in July 2025, and talks are continuing with the assistance of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service," PMA said in a Oct 27 statement. "To date, every tentative agreement reached has been on a Union proposal. None of the Employers’ proposals have been resolved, and significant differences remain."
Video courtesy of Brett Banditelli.
Workers engaged in negotiations work at terminals that handle nearly half of the ports' cargo, with 85% at Long Beach and just over 30% at Los Angeles. Dockworkers and marine clerks represented by ILWU are not parties to the negotiations but are reportedly prepared to honor the picket line should the security workers strike if negotiations fail, which would lead to major disruptions at both ports.
According to reporting from Scott Snowden at Patch media, logistics companies across the port are preparing for major disruptions if a contract isn't reached.
In a Nov. 3 shipping advisory, logistics company Alba Wheels Up reported that terminals were operating normally, but warned that as many as eight terminal locations across the two ports could face disruption if negotiations failed. The company advised customers to monitor developments closely as the deadline approached.
"PMA remains committed to reaching a fair agreement at the bargaining table that avoids disruption at the nation’s two busiest ports," the Pacific Maritime Association said in a Nov 4 statement.
The Common Route has reached out to ILWU Local 26 for comment, but as of publication has not heard back.
This is a developing story. The Common Route will update this article as new details become available.
