SoCal port (nation's largest port complex ) clerks' labor talks resume; 'handful' of issues remain

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Associated Press

BY ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writer

LONG BEACH, Calif.—Clerical workers and shipping companies at the nation's largest port complex resumed contract talks on Wednesday, with negotiators looking to resolve a few remaining issues and end the prospect of a costly strike.

"Just a handful of issues are still left on the table," said John Fageaux Jr., head of Local 63 of the Office Clerical Unit of the International Longshore Warehouse Union.

The 15,000-member ILWU has indicated that longshoremen would honor picket lines if the 750 clerks strike.

That would effectively shut down loading and unloading operations at the neighboring ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which account for 40 percent of all the cargo container traffic coming into the United States.

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_6404587