Carlos Rivera, 73, a longshore worker with more than 40 years of experience on the waterfront, died at the Port of Long Beach today.  Rivera was working at the California United Terminal when he was struck and killed. Details on the death are being investigated by port authorities.


“This tragedy affects the entire ILWU family,” said International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 13 president Joe Cortez. “Carlos came in to the industry with me.”

Union leaders met Friday with officials of the Pacific Maritime Association, the port and terminal operator, to announce that the union will halt operation at the California United Terminal for a 24-hour grievement period.

In southern California, Rivera’s death follows that of foreman Matt Petrasich, killed in a workplace accident on Jan. 31, 2005 at the Evergreen terminal in the adjacent Port of Los Angeles.