Facing hefty fines for illegal picketing, union longshore leaders this week rejected a call from Occupy Oakland protesters to shut down West Coast ports Dec. 12 in support of the union’s dispute with the owners of the new EGT grain terminal at the Port of Longview.
Robert McEllrath, president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, said the union appreciates the support but hasn’t authorized the shutdown.
“Only ILWU members or their elected representatives can authorize job actions on behalf of the union, and any decisions made by groups outside of the union’s democratic process do not hold water, regardless of the intent.” McEllrath said in a written statement.
According to the Journal of Commerce, which tracks the marine industry, protesters would need to position dozens or even hundreds of people at port entrances to present a safety threat to dock workers who attempted to report to work.
