Negotiations to end a strike at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports are continuing, however the two sides said that they were not close to an agreement. The Mayor of Los Angeles urged the two to bring in a mediator to help them reach an agreement and end the strike, which has crippled shipping at the ports. The strike is over staffing for clerical workers, and is supported by other workers at the ports who are refusing to cross picket lines. The two ports are the busiest in the country. The previous contract expired in 2010.
See "Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach strike rolls on as negotiations continue", Brian Sumers, The Mercury News, December 2, 2012