A potential work stoppage at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach was temporarily averted as the Pacific Maritime Association and International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 26 agreed to a contract extension for about 250 watchmen through 5 p.m. on Nov. 4. While the watchmen account for only about 2% of ILWU workers at the two ports, they hold an outsized influence by manning port terminals that handle around 85% of cargo moving through Long Beach and 33% at Los Angeles. The watchmen have been working on contract extensions ... Log in to view full article.