Friday, U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton blasted the muddiness of the contract language [in EGT’s 30-year lease agreement with the Port of Longview], saying that both EGT and the port left the labor requirements vague just so they could complete a deal on the $200 million project.
“There’s nothing plain about this language in the contract. None. (The port and EGT) wanted to massage an issue to get to an agreement, bring in an economic engine and get jobs, and decide later what they didn’t agree to,” Leighton said.
Leighton said he would rule within a week on the critical issue— whether the port’s labor agreement with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union applies to EGT. He could also decide to let the matter go to trial before a jury, which is scheduled for next April.