Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach idled for fifth day (Updated)

Last edited Mon Dec 3, 2012, 03:17 AM - Edit history (1)

http://news.yahoo.com/ports-los-angeles-long-beach-idled-fifth-day-053126575.html

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A strike by clerical workers at the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach idled most of the busiest U.S. cargo shipping complex for a fifth day on Saturday as container-laden vessels waited to be unloaded and marathon contract talks stretched into the night.

Some 10,000 members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 63 were refusing to cross picket lines of some 500 striking clerical workers, effectively shutting down 10 of the two ports' combined 14 container terminals.

Four other container terminals have remained open, along with facilities for handling break-bulk cargo such as raw steel and tanker traffic.

(More at the link.)


Los Angeles port strike triggers fears, lobbying by businesses

http://news.yahoo.com/los-angeles-port-strike-triggers-fears-lobbying-businesses-025151606.html

(Reuters) - A national coalition of U.S. business groups is urging an end to a strike at the twin California ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach amid fears that a prolonged stand-off will cost the American economy many billions of dollars, and could even spread to the east coast.

Trade groups led by the National Retail Federation have sent letters to U.S. President Barack Obama and leading members of Congress asking them to intervene and help end the strike at America's two busiest container harbor facilities. Those industry groups say the strike, which entered its sixth day on Sunday, is already costing $1 billion a day.

The labor dispute has been triggered by 500 clerical workers at the ports, members of the relatively small Office of Clerical Union Workers. Their industrial action and clout has been significantly strengthened because some 10,000 members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have supported them, refusing to cross the clerical workers' picket lines.

(More at the link.)