Unions and shipping companies agree to federal mediation in strike

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Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa went before reporters this morning to update the status of the negotiations after spending all night at the table.

Eight days into a strike that has shut down 14 of 17 terminals at the Port of Los Angeles, the chasm between the two sides has grown too large to bridge without expert help.

“It is clear to me, and it has been, that the parties need a mediator,” Villaraigosa said. “They need someone to help them through very difficult issues.”

As the mayor spoke, the only sounds from Terminal Island were those of birds, a stark contrast from the normal hustle and bustle of the country's largest port. Shipping companies have been forced to delay or divert shipments meant for the Southland.

It's been that way since last Monday when the strike began. The Port's clerical workers say shipping companies and terminal operators have been outsourcing their jobs.

They say the companies have transferred work from the union members in Los Angeles and Long Beach to lower paid workers in Latin America or states like Texas and Florida.

The Port's longshoremen have stopped coming in to work in solidarity for the clerical workers.

Villaraigosa would not comment on the terms being discussed at the negotiating table. But he says the goal is to get back to work as soon as possible.

“There is a billion dollar impact to a work stoppage of this sort. It's an impact that we cannot sustain,” the mayor said.

The strike has had such a large impact that it has garnered national media attention and the White House had issued a statement saying that they are watching the developments closely in anticipation of federal intervention.

In Los Angeles, Mayor Villaraigosa’s office has been working closely with both sides and is running out of patience.

“We’ve already taken too much time: two-and-a-half years (of negotiations), seven days of a strike. We’ve got to get a sense of urgency,” he said.

Federal mediator George Cohen is expected to arrive sometime today or tomorrow. If the name sounds familiar, it's because he's the same man who ended the 112-day NBA player’s strike last year.

Meanwhile, strikers are occupying all 14 of the closed terminals. The union has been quiet about the negotiations to avoid information being leaked before it's finalized.

Sal Chavez was one of five or so strikers at the gate to terminal 400, this morning. The terminal services APM shipping and California United Terminal companies.

“I can't comment very much but I can just tell you we are trying to save these jobs,” said Chavez, who works at the port. “We want to keep this in America.”

When asked if he was hopeful that the strike would be resolved soon, he hesitated to put in those exact terms.

“We have faith in our union, we have faith in our presidents, we have faith in the negotiators,” he said. “We’re looking forward to this being resolved soon.”