‘Business as usual’ at Port of Los Angeles as dockworkers strike at East, Gulf Coast ports [Video]

SAN PEDRO, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The busiest port in the United States continues to move cargo as ports in the East and Gulf coasts come to a standstill.

“The cargo is flowing smoothly here at the port of Los Angeles,” said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles.

“The International Longshore Association covering ports from Maine to Texas have gone off the job today to try to get a better contract,” Seroka said. “Out west, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union covers 29 ports across the West Coast and their contract is good for another five years.”

Thousands of dockworkers are on strike demanding better pay and a ban on the use of automated equipment.

Seroka said he didn’t expect any direct impacts in this area yet.

“This is day one of a dockworkers’ strike back east and on the Gulf Coast. We’ll be watching it closely, but it’s business as usual here at the port,” Seroka said.

However, consumers …