'Outsourcing' sparks spreading wildcat LA-Long Beach dock strike

A STRIKE by longshoremen in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach spread from one terminal to 10 this week, sparked when 70 clerical workers from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) set up a picket line at APM Terminals (APMT) Pier 400 in the Port of Los Angeles.

"We've been meeting with the companies for more than two years, but they're still concealing their outsourcing - even when they've been caught red-handed," said Local ILWU clerical union president John Fageaux.

The ILWU said the new clerical unit has not yet signed a contract with 14 employers at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and that contract talks have broken off several times.

Refusing to cross picket lines, other ILWU members joined the strike. Mr Fageaux told American Shipper that his local had struck all 14 employers, shutting down 10 terminals in Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The Long Beach Press-Telegram reported that an arbitrator held an emergency hearing and ordered the dockers back to work, declaring the walkout "non-bona fide".

The arbitrator ruled the union was negotiating in bad faith and the strike was invalid, reported The Associated Press. But the union ignored that ruling pending talks with employers.

The Harbour Employers Association said the dockers did not return to work, and another visit from the arbitrator was anticipated with a federal court hearing expected if nothing is resolved.

LA port spokesman Phillip Sanfield said the strike is not likely to affect the holiday shopping season as most of that shipping arrived in the past couple of months.