Institute for Research on Labor and Employment

The introduction of automated cargo-handling technology at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach marks a transformative shift in the nation’s largest port complex, raising pressing questions about its impact on workers, operations, and surrounding communities. The Future of Work at the San Pedro Bay Port Complex presents findings from a mixed-methods study commissioned under Assembly Bill 639 and conducted by the UCLA Labor Center. Guided by a panel of industry stakeholders representing labor, management, and public agencies, the study draws on literature reviews, interviews, and expert testimony to assess the potential consequences of automation on job quality, workforce development, and regional economies. As automation expands across terminals, the report highlights the importance of collaborative planning, transparent data, and proactive workforce strategies to ensure technological innovation advances shared prosperity rather than deepening inequality.