Automation and the Future of Dockwork at the San Pedro Bay Port Complex

The San Pedro Bay Port Complex is the 10th busiest port in the world, responsible for more than 30% of domestic containerized imports. New automation technology, introduced in 2014 and rapidly expanding, may erode job quality and threaten workers' career prospects. This report analyzes the potential impacts of increased automation and finds that it is narrowly conceived of as a single solution to increase cargo-handling efficiency, and that the ports will require holistic solutions to address cargo flow across the supply chain. It recommends that local policymakers better align local and federal regulatory frameworks, establish feedback systems, increase transparency and accountability, and prioritize community input.