The union of clerks at the US ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the nation's busiest container complex, have called a strike but discussions to avoid a stoppage are continuing.
The union and 17 shipping companies are trying to agree a new 3-year contract. The union is unhappy with its proposed health and pension benefits and with plans to outsource jobs.
The local clerical unit of the International Long-shore and Warehouse Union has given its unanimous backing for a strike but both sides have agreed to continue talking.
“I believe there will be meaningful progress. We will stay at the table as long as we need to get a deal done, unless we feel there is no movement,” said a union official.
Members of the clerical unit handle a documentation and paperwork for containers moving through the ports.
If the clerks do strike, the 15,000 strong unionized long-shore workers have pledged to honour picket lines, and that could shut down both the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
A dispute with long-shore workers in 2002 resulted in a breakdown of operations that lasted 10 days.
The union and 17 shipping companies are trying to agree a new 3-year contract. The union is unhappy with its proposed health and pension benefits and with plans to outsource jobs.
The local clerical unit of the International Long-shore and Warehouse Union has given its unanimous backing for a strike but both sides have agreed to continue talking.
“I believe there will be meaningful progress. We will stay at the table as long as we need to get a deal done, unless we feel there is no movement,” said a union official.
Members of the clerical unit handle a documentation and paperwork for containers moving through the ports.
If the clerks do strike, the 15,000 strong unionized long-shore workers have pledged to honour picket lines, and that could shut down both the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
A dispute with long-shore workers in 2002 resulted in a breakdown of operations that lasted 10 days.