LOS ANGELES — Federal mediators have offered to get involved in negotiations to resolve a labor dispute between longshoremen and shipping lines that threatens to disrupt movement of goods at West Coast ports.
The U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service said Tuesday it will reach out promptly to both sides. No scheduled talks were immediately announced.
The offer follows a request for mediation from the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents shipping lines and cargo terminal operators.
Longshoremen who load and unload cargo at 29 ports from San Diego to Seattle have been working without a contract since July.
