“Business as usual” at LA despite staff walkout

Clerical workers, who handle paperwork for the shipment of cargo, were picketing at four of the 16 terminals at the port complex. However, but the strike is not being honoured by the ILWU’s longshore division, whose workforce handles the bulk of cargo along the West Coast.

The strike began when the clerks’ contract expired July 1.

The proposed introduction of new computer programs giving customers access to shipping schedules is the root cause of the upset, with unions claiming such a move would endanger jobs.

The Harbor Employers Association, which represents 14 international shipping companies, began negotiating with a unit of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union in mid-April, but the talks stalled in late June after both sides failed to move significantly from their positions.

The union represents about 900 clerical workers and is seeking job protections.