Trucking News · California · October 29, 2026

About 250 Port Watchmen Could Strike at Los Angeles and Long Beach as Early as Nov. 1, Which Could Affect Port Truckers

By Big Rig Daily Staff

Update, Nov. 1, 2026: the strike deadline moved to 5 p.m. Pacific on Nov. 4. See the latest on the LA and Long Beach port watchmen strike deadline.

About 250 union watchmen at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach could strike as early as 5 p.m. Pacific time on Sunday, Nov. 1, if negotiators do not reach a new labor agreement, FreightWaves reported on Oct. 28. A strike could affect cargo operations at the nation's busiest container port complex, and with them the truckers who haul containers there.

What is happening

Members of International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 26 have authorized a strike, according to the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), which represents employers. PMA said negotiations are continuing with help from federal mediators. The watchmen's previous contract expired in July 2025, and they have kept working under extensions. The latest extension expires Sunday.

Why a small group matters

PMA said the watchmen are about 2% of ILWU workers at the two ports, but they work at terminals that handle roughly 85% of Long Beach's cargo and 33% of Los Angeles' cargo. Employers expect other ILWU members would honor picket lines, which could halt vessel, yard and gate operations at affected facilities. The Local 26 contract is separate from the coastwide agreement for ILWU longshore workers and marine clerks, which runs through 2028.

What each side said

PMA said it is committed to reaching "a fair agreement with ILWU Local 26 at the bargaining table" and will keep negotiating "in good faith through the November 1 deadline and beyond if necessary." Employers said their offer includes wage increases and pension improvements. The union has not detailed its demands. PMA said full-time watchmen currently earn an average of more than $170,000 a year, plus fully employer-paid health care and pension benefits.

The Port of Los Angeles said it encourages all parties to keep negotiating and is "hopeful that an agreement can be reached without any disruption to operations."

Already a busy time

The ports are already dealing with a backlog of containers waiting for inland rail transportation. Terminal congestion and difficulty positioning enough rail equipment in Southern California have contributed to delays, raising concerns about holiday merchandise moving toward the eastern United States.

Quick facts

• Earliest strike time: 5 p.m. Pacific, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.
• Workers: about 250 ILWU Local 26 watchmen, per PMA.
• Terminals they work at: about 85% of Long Beach's cargo and 33% of Los Angeles' cargo.
• No agreement had been reported when this story was written.

Big Rig Daily has also covered port truckers and diesel prices in Oakland and how railroads are winning freight from trucks. For other freight pressure points, see the record holiday delivery price index.

A question for readers

If you haul out of the Southern California ports, what is your plan if terminals slow down or close?

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