Strikes cripple US west coast ports

The detention of International Longshore and Warehouse Union president Bob McEllrath yesterday while attending a port protest in Washington sparked wildcat strikes across US West Coast ports today.

ILWU's Bob McEllrath's detention angered west coast dockers

Tacoma, Seattle, Everett and Longview all fell victim to strikes with trucks backing up outside closed gates.

In Washington, ILWU president, Mr McGrath and other ILWU members were defending the rights of workers at a new grain export terminal at the port of Longview. Local police reports claimed that ‘hundreds’ of longshoremen stormed the Port of Longview, overpowering security guards and damaging railroad cars.

A Port of Seattle spokesman confirmed to local press that longshoremen did not turn up to work today, while at Everett, longshoremen reportedly walked out at 1.30 am.

Craig Merrilees, spokesman for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, said the organisation had not called for the stoppages.

7-9 October

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