California Lawmakers Calling For End To Partial Shutdown At 21 Ports In State

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Nine months of unsuccessful contract negotiations have led to a partial shutdown at 21 California ports

Billions of dollars worth of items are at the ports waiting to be loaded or unloaded.

On Friday, state lawmakers demanded a resolution to the dispute between the International Longshore And Warehouse Union and their employer, Pacific Maritime Association, citing the impact it has on the state.

"We're about a $500 million on average a year industry," said Ken Melban with the California Avocado Commission. "Our export is about 10 percent of that, so we're looking at about a $50 million impact. The ripple effect that has on the communities in California is tremendous."

No ships will be unloaded over Presidents Day weekend as part of the dispute.

CBS13 reached out to the longshoreman union, but leadership couldn't comment, saying federal mediators instructed them not to comment.