Strike by port clerical workers is averted

[Omaha Steve]

Source: LA Times

The union had threatened to walk out at midnight today, but it agreed to remain at the bargaining table. Talks will resume Sunday.
By Ronald D. White, Times Staff Writer

Talks between shipping lines and a clerk's union were set to resume Sunday after union negotiators agreed to remain at the table despite an earlier vow to strike if a deal wasn't reached by midnight today.

Representatives of the 930-member office clerical unit of Local 63 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union are in talks with shipping lines and terminal operators at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach over a new labor contract.

A walkout threatens to disrupt cargo operations at the port as it enters its busy season, as retailers import goods for the holiday season.

Local 63 is part of the 15,000-member ILWU, but negotiates its contracts separately. The ILWU has indicated that it will honor Local 63 picket lines, which would effectively shut the ports down.


Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-port15jul15,1,951945.story?ctrack=4&cset=true