As word spread of Monday’s tentative settlement between the local longshore union and the EGT grain terminal, a giant wave of relief flowed across the community.
“It’s absolutely a Christmas present in January,” George Raiter, chairman of the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners, said Monday afternoon.
The news also likely will cancel a large Occupy protest planned in Longview for whenever the first grain freighter arrived — but only if the local union accepts the settlement. Occupy members noted while the settlement is a good sign, there is no permanent contract yet.
