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Coronavirus In China Leads To Less Work At LA Ports
Port of Los Angeles photographed on Nov. 1, 2013. Maya Sugarman/KPCC
The number of reported coronavirus cases may still be low in Southern California, but the effect is already pretty large at Los Angeles ports.
More than half of the goods flowing into L.A.’s twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach come from China. So when something like the coronavirus affects the Chinese economy, it affects L.A. workers, too.
February volume at the Port of Los Angeles was down by an estimated 25%. Port officials are estimating this quarter will be down about 15% from the first quarter of 2019.
Port of Long Beach executive director Mario Cordero said he’s seeing fewer workers on the docks these days.
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“Labor tells me that the dock workers are down 50% in job assignments,” Cordero said. “That's a drastic number.”
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union has not responded to confirm that figure. Neither has the Pacific Maritime Association (the organization that represents the employers of port workers).
Cordero said recent tariffs had already decreased shipments, and now he’s seeing “a supply chain that’s gone from uncertainty to chaotic.”
Port traffic is generally down this time of year, due to China’s lunar new year celebrations. But Cordero said this year’s slowdown is about twice as bad as usual.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
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