UPDATE On Strike Affecting Several Terminals at Ports of LB & LA:

Below is staet Senator Lowenthal's statement in full regarding the labor action by the Int'l Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 63 Office Clerical Unit (OCU):

I have worked closely with both the ILWU and the port-industry employers over the past 20 years, and I am proud to stand in complete solidarity with the ILWU clerical workers and their supporters in their attempts to prevent good American jobs from being sent overseas.

The hard-working members of the OCU have repeatedly sat down over the past two years to bargain in good faith and reach a fair and equitable contract, and I believe their ongoing efforts to protect American jobs stands as a strong example for all American workers struggling against the threat of outsourcing.

I urge a swift return to the negotiating table and an equally swift and fair resolution that will maintain these jobs in America--for American workers--while still allowing the ports to continue as one of the nation's critical economic engines.

I am proud to stand with my brothers and sisters of ILWU Local 63 Office Clerical Unit as they stand up against outsourcing. It’s critical that we look out for America’s workers and their families and do everything we can to keep good paying American jobs in this country. I urge the employers to negotiate with clerical workers a good contract that provides workers with fair wages, a safe workplace, and benefits for their families.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association today urged President Barack Obama to use his leadership to bring the current work stoppage at the Ports of LB and L.A. to an end, saying that "[w]ithout a speedy resolution, the harm caused by the shutdown will be widespread, affecting consumers, retailers and the economy at-large." A letter by RILA President Sandra Kennedy says the group's members "are among the largest users of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach." Letter text follows:

Dear President Obama:

On behalf of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), I write to ask for your leadership in bringing an end to the current work stoppage at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. As you know a strike has effectively shut down America’s two largest ports, disrupting the flow of goods and stranding cargo destined for stores and consumers across the United States. Without a speedy resolution, the harm caused by the shutdown will be widespread, affecting consumers, retailers and the economy at-large.

By way of background, RILA is the trade association of the world’s largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.

RILA’s membership consists of some of the largest users of the supply chain that rely on an efficient transportation system to move products from manufacturers to store shelves in order to meet the expectations of consumers. Open and functioning deep water ports are a vital part of the supply chain, and any disruptions to that link is detrimental to the retail industry’s ability to deliver their goods in a “just in time” fashion.

RILA members are among the largest users of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Last year, the ports handled a combined $273 billion worth of cargo. With work at the ports now at a standstill, cargo destined for retail shelves is stranded in the San Pedro harbor.

Given the enormous risk posed by a prolonged shutdown of the nation’s busiest ports, we urge you to consider all options, including invoking the Taft-Hartley Act, in order to restore the critical flow of commerce.

We respectfully ask that you put the weight of the White House behind resolving this dispute.

Sincerely,
Sandra L. Kennedy President

(Nov. 29, noon):

• A release this morning (Nov. 29) by the ILWU Coast Longshore Division says the ILWU-PMA [Pacific Merchant Ass'n] Coast Labor Relations Committee "that establishes policy and administers the contract between the employer and union on the West Coast waterfront on Wednesday [Nov. 28] agreed that ILWU Local 63 Office Clerical Unit (OCU) picket lines at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach were bona fide. The agreement confirms that longshoremen in ILWU Locals 13, 63 and 94 have the right to refuse to cross OCU pickets under the collective bargaining agreement between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association."

  [ILWU release text] Ray Familathe, the ILWU’s International Vice President for the Mainland, said, "I’m proud of the sacrifice that is being made by the men and women of Locals 13, 63 and 94 as they stand in solidarity with OCU and against the outsourcing of the good jobs that this community needs. And, despite the employer propaganda to the contrary, the ports are still moving cargo."

  Joe Cortez, President of ILWU Local 13, said, "We support our sister local as its members work to reach a good contract that maintains local jobs with good working conditions, and family wages and benefits. We urge the employers to get back to the negotiating table and reach a good contract with the OCU."

  Ray Ortiz, Jr., an ILWU Coast Committeeman who represents all 30 longshore local unions on the West Coast, said, "Longshoremen stand up when other workers need our help. Sure, it's a sacrifice to give up a paycheck when you refuse to cross the picket, but we believe it’s in the long-term interest of the Los Angeles-Long Beach Harbor area to retain these good local jobs. By standing with OCU, we stand with the community."

• The National Retail Federation today (Nov. 29) urged President Obama to immediately engage in the stalled contract negotiations between management and striking union workers at the nation's largest ports.

  "A prolonged strike at the nation’s largest ports would have a devastating impact on the U.S. economy," read a letter from NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay to Obama. "We call upon you to use all means necessary to get the two sides back to the negotiating table."

  [NRF release text] In its appeal to the president that the Administration directly engage in the ongoing labor dispute, NRF noted the outcome of the 2002 West Coast ports lockout. The 10-day lockout led to significant supply chain disruptions, which took six months to remedy, and cost the economy an estimated $1 billion a day.

  "An extended strike [in Los Angeles and Long Beach] this time could have a greater impact considering the fragile state of the U.S. economy," the letter stated. "The two sides must remain at the negotiating table until a deal is reached."

• At the Port of Long Beach, three of six container terminals remain shut down.

• At the Port of Los Angeles, seven of eight container terminals remain shut down.

• At least six container ships are anchored in the Port area but are reportedly unable to dock due to the ongoing strike.

Important context: The Ports themselves aren't parties to the labor action; the terminal operators are.

Further as it develops on LBREPORT.com.