The Port of Long Beach moved more than 8.1 million cargo container units last year, setting a record despite economic uncertainty from the ongoing trade war with China and the coronavirus pandemic — which caused cargo to plunge early in 2020 before skyrocketing ahead of the holidays.
Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach, noted how essential the dockworkers were in 2020, keeping cargo moving even as the pandemic raged — helping bring in vital personal protective equipment.
“I want to thank our frontline workers on the docks who kept cargo moving during this unprecedented moment in history, ensuring the safe, secure and timely delivery of vital medical equipment and consumer goods,” Cordero, who will deliver his annual State of the Port address next month, said.
And dockworkers were also hit by the coronavirus pandemic. … In December, ILWU members at the Port of Los Angeles saw 65% of tests come back positive for COVID-19, according to the letter to pubic officials. At the Port of Long Beach, 71% of the reported cases came back positive.
“In just the first seven days of January, 54 more positive cases were confirmed within our ranks,” the local unions’ letter said, calling the situation urgent. “These numbers continue to rise.”