Operations resume at Washington ports following ILWU contract dispute

12 Sep 2011 - Port Planning

• Cargo operations resume at Seattle and Tacoma Ports following ILWU contract dispute

• Dispute led to one-day stoppage at new grain export terminal last week

Cargo operations have resumed and returned to normal at Washingtons' two busiest deepwater ports, following a one-day work stoppage last Thursday by International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) members.

The Ports of Seattle and Tacoma ground to a halt after ILWU members refused to work following a contract dispute with the operator of the new grain export terminal.

Tara Mattina, a spokeswoman for the Port of Tacoma, told the Wall Street Journal that "Longshore crews are reporting to work, and our terminals are open." Around 7:00 a.m on Friday morning both the ILWU member groups of Seattle and Tacoma returned to work, added Peter McGraw spokesman for the Port of Seattle.

On Wednesday last week, a large group of ILWU members blocked the entry of a train destined for the grain terminal facility operated by EGT LLC of Portland, Oregon. The union later allowed the train to continue its journey.

The stoppage implemented last week was the result of over five months of tension between the ILWU and EGT, following the action of the EGT to discontinue contract negotiations at the facility with the ILWU.

The ILWU believe that they have jurisdiction to work in the Port of Longview due to a labour agreement made with West Coast ports. However, EGT claim that the Longview lease does not specify that ILWU members have to work at the newly constructed US$200 million grain terminal.

Last weeks events echoed events in July, where again the ILWU and its supporters prevented a train from entering the facility. The altercation resulted in the arrest of a number of ILWU members.