Officials with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Northwest Grain Handlers Association both said they’ll renew contract negotiations during meetings to be held soon. Speaking during a public hearing of the Port of Vancouver commissioners Tuesday, Cager Clabaugh, president of the ILWU Local 4 in Vancouver, said talks are set to reopen Oct. 21 and 22.
Clabaugh told commissioners Tuesday that a well-capitalized Mitsui & Co. — the Tokyo-based parent of United Grain — brought in a “paramilitary strike-breaking firm” before negotiations even began and that the corporation is “willing to spend as much as possible to break down workers’ rights.” He said “Mitsui is in no hurry” to reach a fair agreement.
