EGT development in Longview, WA, future workplace of ILWU Local 21. The ILWU has worked in every Northwest grain export elevators since 1934, making it one of the world's most productive grain export regions in the world.
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 701’s announcement now pits one union against another in competition for family-wage jobs at the grain terminal. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which has worked at all West Coast grain terminals since 1934, has argued the jobs should go to its Longview-based Local 21 under terms of its contract with the Port of Longview.
An ILWU spokeswoman said the union was disappointed to see the union operating engineers acting “in collusion” with EGT and General Construction Co.
She added the ILWU will continue to fight to work at EGT, though she declined to say the union’s next move. Last week, nearly 100 ILWU protesters were arrested and cited for misdemeanor criminal trespassing after they tore down a fence on EGT property and blocked company workers from handling grain during the testing phase.