Longshore workers from ILWU Local 21 picket non-union and scab labor at EGT Development in Longview, WA, July 22, 2011. Photo by Sara Johnson, member of ILWU Local 21.
The ILWU, which has a contract with the port and has been recognized as the sole supplier of longshore labor at West Coast ports, is protesting EGT Development’s agreement to use the International Union of Operating Engineers to operate the terminal.
An ILWU spokeswoman insists the union will retain that jurisdiction. “The International Longshore and Warehouse Union is the most skilled and experienced grain-exporting work force in the world and rejects all attempts to undermine the safety, wages, benefits and working conditions spelled out in the Northwest Grainhandler’s Agreement,” she said.
The Port of Longview supports the ILWU. Frank Randolph, an attorney representing the port, said the Port of Longview has a working agreement with the ILWU and EGT knew that when it decided to build the grain terminal.