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As the President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union or ILWU Local 13, I’ve spent my career advocating for the men and women who keep our ports running, ensuring that the voice of labor is heard loud and clear in the halls of power. Yet, today, that voice has been gravely diminished by a decision that threatens to undo years of progress for both our union and the communities of Harbor City, San Pedro, and Wilmington.
Mayor Karen Bass’s decision not to reappoint Diane Middleton to the Los Angeles Harbor Commission is an affront to the entire portside community and a betrayal of the labor force that has faithfully collaborated with her over the past year and a half. The Harbor Commission has included multiple representatives from our local community for decades, a recognition of the critical role the port plays in the life of our city. Yet, in one fell swoop, Mayor Bass has removed one of our most dedicated advocates, leaving the local communities with only a single voice on the five-member board.
This decision is not just disappointing; it’s dangerous. Diane Middleton has been a tireless champion for our community, and her deep understanding of local issues—from port automation to labor rights—cannot be replaced by someone who does not live and breathe the realities of our community. The fact that Middleton is the second local commissioner to be removed in favor of a non-local resident underscores a troubling trend: a growing disconnect between City Hall and the communities it is supposed to serve.
The ILWU has long had a representative on the Harbor Commission, which has been critical in ensuring that the voices of dockworkers and their families are heard. With Middleton’s removal, that voice has been silenced. The impacts on our members, who already face significant challenges from port automation and other pressures are potentially catastrophic. We no longer have a seat at the table where decisions that directly affect our livelihoods are made.
This concern is not mine alone. My colleagues, Danny Miranda, President of ILWU Local 94, representing the foremen’s local, and Danny Vilicich, President of ILWU Local 63, representing marine clerks, stand in unwavering solidarity with Local 13. Together, we are united in our belief that the voices of those who work on the front lines of the port must be heard. Their support highlights the shared understanding across our unions of the importance of local representation on the Harbor Commission.
Councilmember Tim McOsker is justified in fighting for an amendment to the Los Angeles Municipal Code that would guarantee at least two local representatives on the Harbor Board of Commissioners. Our local residents deserve to be represented by people who understand our community’s unique needs and challenges, not by political appointees residing 20 miles away, who have little connection to our day-to-day realities. The current state of affairs, with just one local representative, is unacceptable.
The ILWU, backed by the steadfast support of its members across all locals, will not take this lying down. Our members, who work day in and day out to keep the port—and by extension, the city—thriving, deserve better. San Pedro, Wilmington, and Harbor City deserve better. Mayor Bass’s decision is a stark reminder that we must remain vigilant in protecting our community from outside entities that do not have our best interests at heart. We will continue to fight for local representation, and we will hold those in power accountable for decisions that threaten to undermine the progress we have made.
The Port of Los Angeles is more than just a port—it’s a community with a rich history and a vital role in Los Angeles’s economy. We will not allow our voices to be drowned out by political gamesmanship. The ILWU stands united in our commitment to ensuring that the interests of our Port communities are represented and respected. Mayor Bass, it’s time to listen to the people who know this community best.
Gary Herrera, President of ILWU Local 13
