LONG BEACH, Calif. — Despite a shaky start, the Port of Long Beach just wrapped its busiest year on record and December was its busiest month in 110 years.

Demand is rising for medical equipment, along with home improvement items, exercise equipment and office furniture as we all work from home. Meanwhile thousands of dockworkers are sounding the alarm.

What You Need To Know

  • With ports experiencing record cargo levels, essential port workers are getting sick and dying due to COVID-19

  • Union leaders are asking for faster access to the vaccine.

  • Home goods as well as vital medical equipment and PPE often come through the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles

Frank Kostrencich is a crane operator.

“It’s putting a lot of stress on the work force. People are working seven days a week. The cargo is not stopping and I don’t think we’re anywhere close to catching up,” said Kostrencich.

At the same time Kostrencich’s coworkers are getting sick and some are dying due to COVID-19. He has to work, but each day he risks bringing the virus home to his wife and kids.

It’s a struggle Local 63 President Michael Podue shares.

“This is our family. Down here on the docks we work together. We are together and when one of us gets hurt or passes away or gets sick it affects us emotionally and deeply,” said Podue.

Leaders of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union say the virus has killed at least eight of their members since December and in just the first seven days of January there were more than 50 new positive cases confirmed among dockworkers.

Podue and the other local presidents wrote a letter to the people in charge of doling out the COVID-19 vaccine. They’re asking for faster access to the vaccine for the front-line, essential port workers.

“Look I know everybody in this country needs this vaccine, but we are definitely feeling it right now and we’re asking for help,” said Podue.

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Coming to work has become a risky decision.

“We’re blessed to have the work, but it’s also a curse in the meantime because it’s more chances for transmission of the disease,” said Kostrencich.

Spectrum News 1 contacted the city of Long Beach with questions for this story and received the following statement:

"The City of Long Beach is following the State's vaccine requirements and CDC guidelines to distribute the vaccine. Port of Long Beach employees currently fall under Phase 1B, Tier 2 of the rollout plan, which is expected to begin vaccinations in March. This date could change depending on the amount of vaccine the City receives. We are committed to making sure that everyone who lives, works or learns in Long Beach can receive a vaccine."