Alternate source for Longview ILWU story

[0rganism]

So far, what I've seen posted at DU has been heavily slanted against the union -- understandable, that's what our "liberal" media does these days. Well, let's try to remember that there's a reason people are protesting something in Longview.

Longshore Workers Dump Scab Grain to Protect Jobs
Evan Rohar and Jane Slaughter | September 8, 2011

The confrontation between West Coast longshore workers and an anti-union exporter exploded as pickets massed on railroad tracks by the hundreds yesterday to block grain shipments.

Police used clubs and pepper spray on protesters in Longview, Washington, as they made 19 arrests.

Early this morning a terminal there was invaded and hoppers holding about 10,000 tons of grain were opened onto railroad tracks.
(more) http://labornotes.org/2011/09/longshore-workers-dump-scab-grain-protect-jobs

[catabryna]

1. I'd always heard...

that you don't want to mess with the longshoremen. Good for them!

[lunatica]

2. Thanks for posting this

[0rganism]

3. np - gotta try to keep it "fair and balanced" around here these days

the anti-union shit is getting out of hand

[pintobean]

4. I take offense to that.

I posted the 1st thread about this. Are you questioning my motives? You can find your fair and balanced in the replies in any of the threads.

[0rganism]

5. please don't - it's my media grudge talking

I'm very pissed off at the way this has been covered, not at you for posting the link in a thread.

You have my sincere apologies for putting it rudely.

[pintobean]

6. Ok. Thanks for explaining

:)

[Brickbat]

7. K&R for the longshoremen.

They kick ass. Fuck the scabs.

[lumpy]

8. Good grief, the 1930s all over again., but I am for unions. There

must be a lot more to this story.

[hack89]

10. It's a union turf war

The company operating the port went with Operating Engineers, Local 701 instead of the longshoremen.

[robdogbucky]

14. Um, it's more than that. Company tried to violate contract that ILWU had

"...The ILWU, which represents longshoremen at most West Coast ports, has a contract with the Port of Longview to represent workers there, the union stated. The ILWU has been demonstrating at the EGT terminal since July. Union protestors in July blocked a BNSF Railway train from bringing grain to the terminal for a test run. BNSF has not sent any trains to the EGT terminal since then..."



http://www.joc.com/labor/ilwu-continue-strike-despite-restraining-order

[Travis_0004]

9. I don't mind protest, but I can not support cutting brake lines, etc

Vandalism is wrong, and If they find out who did it, they should be arrested.

[robdogbucky]

11. Workers volunteer to “put their bodies on the line”

Workers volunteer to “put their bodies on the line” in effort to save good jobs in Longview, WA
September 7, 2011 7:43 pm


Hundreds of port workers stood on railroad tracks today at 4pm, blocking a train carrying grain to a foreign-owned loading facility in Longview, Washington. Workers took action to protest the failure by big grain companies to honor agreements with the local community to provide good jobs in Longview.

“Everyone came to the tracks on their own free will to stand up for justice and protect good jobs in this community, said ILWU President Bob McEllrath, who stood with the volunteers on Wednesday afternoon. “It shouldn’t be a crime to fight for good jobs in America.”

Police in riot gear charged the group of peaceful protesters, which included women and children, injuring several in the process. When volunteers stood their ground, police retreated and the train was backed-off. As of 6pm, it was unclear if the BNSF Railroad would continue to attempt another delivery or stand down.

The controversial grain terminal is owned and operated by EGT – a consortium of companies that includes North America, South Korea-based STX Pan Ocean and Japan-based Itochu Corporation...

http://www.ilwu.org/?p=2927

[robdogbucky]

12. Int’l Transport Workers’ Federation condemns detention of ILWU president

Int’l Transport Workers’ Federation condemns detention of ILWU president
September 8, 2011 1:15 pm


8 September 2011: The ITF has condemned the detention yesterday of ILWU (International Longshore and Warehouse Union) president Bob McEllrath while attending a protest in Vancouver, Washington, USA. He and other ILWU members were defending the job rights of workers at a new grain export terminal at the port of Longview, whose owners, EGT, appear to be trying to ignore the 80 year history of ILWU membership at the port by recruiting non-ILWU members – in defiance, the ILWU believes, of its contract with the port.

Bob McEllrath was then released in the face of protests from his fellow dockers, among reported threats from the ‘authorities that the army would be brought in next time’.

ITF general secretary David Cockroft commented:“Bob was detained for standing up for the rights of his members. That’s not acceptable in the modern world. We call on the company and all its stakeholders to halt their provocative plans before they take this conflict out of control.”

ITF president Paddy Crumlin said: “EGT are playing with fire, and they know it. They need to take a big step back and think about what they are trying to force through, then see sense and talk to the ILWU about how to resolve this issue before it escalates even further.”

http://www.ilwu.org/?p=2932

[robdogbucky]

13. It would appear that company tried to violate the ILWU contract at Port, no?

ILWU Defies Court Order in Longview, Wash., Picketing

...EGT has completed construction of the $200 million facility but has yet to ship any grain. EGT earlier this year began negotiating with the ILWU to man the terminal, but later cut off negotiations and signed an agreement with General Construction Co. to staff the terminal. General Construction contracts with a different union.

The ILWU, which represents longshoremen at most West Coast ports, has a contract with the Port of Longview to represent workers there, the union stated. The ILWU has been demonstrating at the EGT terminal since July. Union protestors in July blocked a BNSF Railway train from bringing grain to the terminal for a test run. BNSF has not sent any trains to the EGT terminal since then.

The NLRB joined the fray last week, charging union picketers have engaged in harassment and misconduct.

The labor board went to court for a temporary restraining order. Judge Leighton granted the TRO, which only lasts for 10 days. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday, when the judge will determine if the restraining order should be made permanent...


http://www.joc.com/labor/ilwu-continue-strike-despite-restraining-order



I would be pissed too.