West Coast dockworkers still talking after contract expires

By ROBERT JABLON
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A contract between shipping companies and 22,000 West Coast dockworkers has expired. But both sides continue to talk and said they want to avoid a strike that could savage an economy already stressed by soaring inflation and supply chain troubles. The contract that expired last Friday covered workers at ports from California to Washington state that handle nearly 40% of U.S. imports. Both sides say they will keep cargo moving until an agreement is reached. A 2002 lockout and a 2015 strike cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars.