Striking office workers at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are set to resume negotiations with shipping companies Wednesday as the parties inch closer to an agreement covering about 900 workers.
The union representing office workers dropped picket lines late Sunday in favor of renewed talks after an 11-day walkout. About 130 members walked off the job July 1 in a rotating strike targeting five marine terminals.
Office workers are represented by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, who also represent thousands of dockworkers bound by a separate contract.
Their efforts were twice undermined by labor arbitrator rulings that found the strike was "illegitimate" because the union had failed to bargain in good faith - preventing longshoremen from honoring picket lines.
The shipping company coalition - the Harbor Employers Association - issued a statement Tuesday saying talks to reach a "fair and equitable contract" will resume Wednesday.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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