ILWU Int’l President Robert McEllrath on steps of the Cowlitz County Courthouse moments after he was sentenced to one day in jail and a $500 fine. During the three day trial, a group of fifty supporters filled the courtroom.
ILWU International President Robert McEllrath was convicted today of a misdemeanor offense in Longview ,WA for “obstructing a train.” the sentence was one day in jail and a $500 fine.
“Fighting for good jobs in America shouldnt be a crime,” said McEllrath immediately following his arrest. Before sentencing, McEllrath told the court he had “no regrets about leading men and women against corporate greed and helping them fight to protect middle class jobs in America.”
The three-day jury trial in Cowlitz County Court centered on a peaceful protest that took place in Longview Washington on September 7, 2011, when union members and supporters gathered to protest a train carrying grain destined for the EGT grain terminal at the Port of Longview which was refusing to honor ILWU jurisdiction. Several months after the protest, the company agreed to settle the dispute and signed a contract with the ILWU in early February.