Oakland threatened by strike closure

The group say that this is in order to blockade the flow of capital and show commitment to longshore workers in their struggle against EGT in Washington.

EGT is an international grain exporter with strong ties to Wall Street – which Occupy Oakland say is attempting to rupture longshore jurisdiction as part of a wider corporate attack on workers.

“The Oakland General Strike is a warning shot to the 1% – their wealth only exists because the 99% creates it for them”, the group’s website states.

In an open letter, Pamela S Calloway, president at the Port of Oakland told Port Strategy: “It is understandable that the citizens of Oakland want to show solidarity with the worldwide movement for economic and social justice. It is also imperative that any and all expressions of protest be effective without being violent. Each one of us at the port is committed to a peaceful and safe march for all involved”.

She also added that the Port of Oakland understands the frustrations at the heart of the Occupy movement – the port itself is in debt and air passenger volume is down by 30% since 2008.

Despite the challenges though, the port’s activity generates over 73,000 jobs and she argues that the port is where the 99% work.

Yesterday dock workers at the port refused to unload ships that are loaded with ‘explosive contents’ which is only serving to exacerbate an already delicate situation.