Disclaimer

The articles excerpted on this site report on the state of the industry as seen by mainstream media, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the officers of the ILWU Coast Longshore Division.

Port of Longview commissioners: $3.9 million crane will boost port's competitive edge

Port of Longview commissioners agreed to buy a second mobile harbor crane, a purchase that port officials say could help them better compete to unload imported oil refinery equipment needed for a Midwest oil boom.

The port bought its first Liebherr crane in 2008 for $4.7 million to unload large wind-energy equipment imports, which had [...]

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Kinder Morgan drops plans to build coal export terminal at Port of St. Helens

From the Oregonian:

Terminal developer Kinder Morgan will not go forward with a proposal to export coal to Asia from the Port Westward industrial park on the Columbia River, a company spokesman said this morning.

Kinder Morgan’s Allen Fore attributed the decision not to seek permits for a coal export terminal to site logistics at [...]

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Four Columbia River ports to purchase Howard Island for $1.32 million

Four lower Columbia River ports have tentatively agreed to buy Howard Island for $1.32 million, ending a dozen years of negotiations with the owner and avoiding a costly court battle.

Port of Longview commissioners on Tuesday approved their share of the deal, which is about $187,000. Port of Vancouver commissioners also approved the deal Tuesday, [...]

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Longview log exports surging, thanks primarily to Asian demand

After a moderate slip in 2012, log exports are heating up again on Lower Columbia docks in response to demand from growing Asian economies.

In February, Port of Longview dock workers are expected to load about 90,000 metric tons of logs on vessels bound for Asia, more than a fivefold increase from all of February [...]

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Cargo belt chute sparks fire at EGT grain terminal

A cargo belt chute caught fire at EGT early Sunday. It was the second fire at the facility, the first having occurred in April. No one was injured in the fire.

Firefighters spent about four hours extinguishing a blaze early Sunday morning at the EGT grain terminal at the Port of Longview.

Workers at the [...]

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ILA Stands With Brave ILWU President Who Said: 'Fighting For Good Jobs In America Shouldn't Be A Crime'

From the International Longshoremen’s Association web site:

The ILA published this photo and article in support of ILWU President Robert McEllrath, pictured here with supporters from global maritime unions.

ILWU President Bob McEllrath Convicted of Misdemeanor Offense In Longview, Washington; ILA Stands With Brave ILWU President Who Said: ‘Fighting For Good Jobs In America [...]

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Grain and Greed in the Northwest

Collective bargaining negotiations are underway in the Northwest between the ILWU and grain industry giants. Here’s the background in the ILWU Dispatcher:

Grain is the new gold for multinationals eager to move valuable cargo for a healthy profit.

Global grain giants, 80 years into contract, try to squeeze longshore workers

Wheat-based bread on Japan’s [...]

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ITF backs ILWU president

ILWU International President Robert ‘Big Bob’ McEllrath was detained on September 7, 2011 in Cowlitz County, WA, while protesting corporate greed with hundreds of ILWU members at EGT Port of Longview. Photo by ILWU Local 40 President Dawn Des Brisay.

The ITF has expressed its strong backing for Robert McEllrath, international president of the ILWU, [...]

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ILWU In Extended Talks With NW Grain Handlers Despite Labor Contract Expiration

The ILWU is in extended talks with the Pacific Northwest Grain Handlers Association. Talks with the union are scheduled through mid-October. The current contract expired Sunday. The ILWU workers handle half of the grain exports in the U.S. ILWU members walked off their jobs temporarily in Portland upon news Friday that Robert McEllrath, president of [...]

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Negotiators avert longshore lockout, but union members walk out Friday after president convicted

Ken Riley, left, an International Longshoremen’s Association Vice President and President of Local 1422, came to support ILWU International President Bob McEllrath at the Cowlitz County Hall of Justice last year. On Friday, a District Court judge sentenced Pres. McEllrath to one day in jail and 89 days suspended, plus a $500 fine. Photo [...]

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Longshore and Warehouse Union official found guilty of obstructing train in labor dispute

At the September 26-28 trial of ILWU International President Bob McEllrath, longshore members, leaders and pensioners from Southern and Northern California, the Oregon area, the Puget Sound, Hawaii and Canada attended to show their support and solidarity.

From the Daily Breeze:

The head of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union was convicted of a [...]

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Grain shippers expect to reach deal with dockworkers, avoid interruptions

From the Columbian:

A group representing grain shippers in the region, including United Grain Corp. at the Port of Vancouver, said Monday it expects to reach an agreement on a new labor contract with union dockworkers that will keep wheat, soybeans and corn flowing to markets.

“I don’t think there’s any reason to presume otherwise,” [...]

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Longshore union risks contempt finding for more than just two Portland jobs

From the Oregonian:

Today the bitter legal battle lands in U.S. District Court, where Judge Michael Simon will decide whether to hold the longshoremen in civil contempt. Even if he does, the union can win the war, judging by a recent case in Longview, Wash., where longshoremen shrugged off a federal contempt citation and got [...]

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Longview: Strategic plan passes, search for port CEO includes former dockworker

Two news items about the Port of Longview port commission from the Daily News:

Port of Longview commissioners approve strategic plan

Port of Longview commissioners Friday unanimously approved their five year strategic plan to develop their Barlow Point property, demolish an unused grain elevator, expand the main administration building and attract new business.

Port officials [...]

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U.S. Trade official to speak at EGT grand opening ceremony

EGT is holding a grand opening ceremony on July 9 for community and business leaders. The keynote speaker will be Ambassador Islam Siddiqui, the chief agricultural negotiator for the office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Siddiqui will discuss EGT’s effect on growing U.S. grain exports to Asia, according to the company.

Other speakers scheduled for [...]

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