The Union representing West Coast dock-workers staged a 24-hour walkout in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on April 6^th finishing the next day.  The International Longshore Workers Union Local 13 stated on Friday April 7^th that members were at work and remained committed to moving cargo.  The Union noted that workers attended a monthly meeting on Thursday evening April 6^th and observed the Good Friday holiday consistent with their contract.

The Pacific Maritime Association representing shippers observed that both West Coast ports were working on Friday in contrast to being idle on Thursday night.

Workers are becoming anxious over the slow progress in contract talks and more than 22,000 workers in 29 ports are still operating without a contract that expired on July 1^st.

West Coast ports are experiencing a decline in shipments as imports are diverted to Gulf and East Coast facilities.  The effect of this change in pattern of gateways and the availability of containers falls heavily on exporters of agricultural products relying on Pacific Coast ports.