ILWU International President Robert McEllrath delivers TEMCO agreement to Mitsui-United Grain, March 8, 2013. Photo by Dawn Des Brisay

ILWU International President Robert McEllrath delivers TEMCO agreement to Mitsui-United Grain, March 8, 2013. McEllrath was accompanied by approximately 400 ILWU members and supporters. Photo by Dawn Des Brisay, ILWU Local 40 member.

International Longshore and Warehouse Union grain workers recently delivered what they consider to be a “fair” contract to the offices of United Grain Corp. with the hope of ending an employer lockout that has been underway at the Vancouver, Wash., grain export terminal since Feb. 27.

“We believe it is time for the parties to return to the bargaining table and take the final steps to reach a collective bargaining agreement,” Leal Sundet, ILWU coast committeeman, stated in a letter to employers.

Bob McEllrath, ILWU international president, led a march Monday [March 8] by union members to the United Grain offices and presented a copy of the contract that the ILWU had recently negotiated with TEMCO.

The TEMCO contract “signifies the union’s commitment to reaching a deal that maintains American industry standards and working conditions while addressing the concerns that the elevator operators bring to the table,” Sundet stated in his letter.

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