Union Shuts Oakland Port, Slows L.A. Work

Longshore workers shut down the Port of Oakland and slowed work in Los Angeles and Long Beach on Tuesday as negotiators studied a proposed wage and benefits offer from steamship companies and port operators, management officials said. The action, apparently originating with Local 10 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, stopped most activity at the port, which includes 12 cargo terminals serving 33 shipping lines. “None of our customers are able to conduct business,” said Port of Oakland spokeswoman Roberta Bradley. Officials at Pacific Maritime Assn., which represents management at all West Coast ports in the talks, were caught by surprise. The association made its offer on Saturday, just before talks ended for the Fourth of July holiday, with an understanding that negotiations would resume this week. Union officials, whose members have been working without a contract since Thursday, did not return a call seeking comment.