The county prosecutor in Vancouver, Wash., will not file charges against a longshoreman accused of intentionally damaging machinery at the United Grain export terminal, a charge that earlier this year led to the lockout of 44 members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, and demonstrations that continue to this day.
ILWU spokeswoman Jennifer Sargent said the company used the “false allegation” of sabotaging the machinery as an excuse to lock out the union, so now it is time to resume contract negotiations between United Grain and the ILWU.
The company said it remains convinced that the film shows the longshoreman was intentionally damaging the machinery, and United Grain intends to move forward with a civil suit.
