Union picket lines that started in Crockett have now rolled into Richmond, as demonstrators converged on Levin Richmond Terminal after a bulk sugar shipment was rerouted away from the strike site. Organizers accused the company of trying to dodge the Crockett picket line and said some of the cargo was left exposed during unloading attempts. Local officials said they were reviewing how the sugar was handled and would pursue inspections as the labor dispute drags on.
What Happened at the Levin Terminal
Protesters said the vessel, carrying raw sugar from the Philippines, was diverted to Levin Richmond Terminal after longshore workers refused to cross the picket line at C&H's Crockett facility. A crowd turned out on July 8 to block unloading, as reported by The Mercury News. Demonstrators told reporters they watched sugar being dumped on the ground and left uncovered while terminal workers tried to move the cargo. Organizers said the action was intended to spotlight what they describe as an effort to undercut the strike.
Unions Push Back
Longshore union members who declined to work the Crockett dock later joined protests at Levin after the company attempted to use the Richmond facility instead, according to Indybay. The striking warehouse workers, represented by ILWU Local 6, have been out since June 15 over retiree benefits, overtime rules and other proposed contract changes, a dispute that has been detailed in regional coverage. Union leaders say coordinated solidarity from longshore workers has been critical to keeping bulk sugar shipments from reaching the refinery during the walkout.
Company Says It's Negotiating
C&H's parent company, American Sugar Refining, says it remains committed to negotiations and has offered bonuses and phased wage increases as talks continue. The Vallejo Sun reported that the company proposed a signing bonus along with multi-year raises, and industry coverage has described the walkout as the first of its kind at a major California sugar producer in decades. Union representatives counter that the package does not preserve key protections for retired workers and would alter overtime rules in ways they say would punish long-term employees.
Officials Step In
Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia said he forwarded complaints to county health officials and contacted the state health department, while the Bay Area Air Quality Management District said it would dispatch an inspector, according to The Mercury News. Protester Katrina Liwanag told reporters, "We're going to continue to be here to extend our solidarity," and organizer Gina Villeggiante accused the broader supply chain of exploiting workers. The Contra Costa Labor Council also asked the state attorney general's office to get involved, while city staff inspected the terminal and reviewed what they found.
Levin Terminal's Role and Safety Concerns
The Levin Richmond Terminal is a long-running dry-bulk facility that usually handles industrial cargo such as scrap metal, coal and other bulk materials. The operator has said it is shifting toward non-fossil fuel commodities this year. Levin Richmond Terminal highlights local partnerships and safety investments, but neighbors and labor advocates say exposed bulk loads at industrial terminals can create dust and contamination risks if they are not tightly controlled. Richmond officials said they would track the results of any inspections and follow up with enforcement or guidance if necessary.
Regulatory and Legal Context
C&H has drawn environmental scrutiny before. A 2025 settlement with Contra Costa County detailed air-emission violations that resulted in fines and required compliance steps. That recent history has residents and officials paying close attention when bulk commodities are handled outside refinery silos. Regulators typically weigh both worker safety and public health when responding to complaints about offloading practices and possible dust or runoff.
What’s Next
Union leaders say pickets will stay up until a deal is reached that protects retiree medical benefits and overtime rules, while company negotiators insist talks are ongoing and shipments will move where they can. Early coverage of the walkout suggests the dispute could disrupt upcoming shipments and refining schedules if longshore solidarity holds. Local and freight outlets are watching for inspection results, regulatory decisions and any return to intensive bargaining in the coming days, with FreightWaves and regional reporters continuing to track the story as it unfolds.
