LOS ANGELES — As the shutdown of West Coast ports extended into Tuesday, union dockworkers dropped a bombshell during contract talks, telling waterfront employers that the key issue of automation is no longer open to negotiation.

Ports remained closed as the Pacific Maritime Association locks-out the International Longshore and Warehouse Union because dock workers refuse to extend their previous contract, which prohibits work slowdowns.

The PMA and ILWU met for about two hours Monday afternoon. ILWU President James Spinosa surprised employers by saying that technology, the core contract issue, was "off the table" because the PMA was unable to put together a unified proposal on how it plans to improve productivity by introducing information technology to the docks.

Instead, the ILWU presented employers with a detailed document on improving dock worker pensions.

A slight glimmer of hope emerged as the two sides agreed to meet today in San Francisco for an informational meeting with the director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

The PMA has said that it welcomes mediation as a way to advance contract negotiations, which began on May 13. The ILWU was quick to point out, however, that it has made no decision on whether or not it will agree to mediation.

At the same time, the ILWU said on its Web site Monday evening that, "We want to return to work as soon as possible." More than 100 vessels remained stranded at West Coast ports. Shipping lines are losing millions of dollars a day and railroads have stopped dispatching intermodal trains to the West Coast. Retailers are considering what few options they have to ensure that their imports from Asia arrive on time for the holiday shopping season should the ports remain closed for a week or longer.

The PMA on Monday offered to lift the lock-out if the union agreed to extend the previous contract, which expired on July 1. The contract forbids work stoppages and slowdowns. Spinosa told employers he would not extend the contract.

The PMA in August agreed to a benefits package that is fully paid for by employers, a major demand of the union.

On Monday, the ILWU presented a proposal for a comprehensive pension plan. Tom Edwards, the PMA's Northern California manager, said employers agreed to discuss dock worker pensions, and had already told the union they were prepared to provide "substantial enhancements" to the pension plan.

However, the PMA will not agree to Spinosa's demand that discussion on technology come to a halt. "Technology can not be taken off the table. It is the core issue in these talks," said Edwards, who is a member of the PMA bargaining team. Both parties agreed to return to the negotiating table on Wednesday.

Bill Mongelluzzo