Unrest amongst Washington longshoremen

[Meeker]

Not sure if this has been getting any attention outside the state but the longshoremen in Washington have been conducting a wildcat strike that's been shutting down ports for the past two days.

It started in the Port of Longview when a labor dispute grew more intense earlier this week. About 500 longshoremen stormed the port and committed some vandalism, stopped a train and allegedly held a few security guards hostage for a little while. A judge has issued an order to stop interfering with port operations but it's being completely disregarded.

The activity in Longview was then followed by sympathy strikes in Tacoma and Seattle which shut down both those ports. Haven't heard what's been going on in Olympia, Aberdeen or Everett.

It's unclear if the local unions are supporting the stoppages or if the members have just started doing this on their own.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/09/09/1815672/ports-in-state-brace-for-more.html

[Meeker]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

You call that a port? What do they still need longshoremen for?
What's it all about, originally?

The Port of Longview is opening a new grain terminal and rumor had it that they were going to hire non-longshoremen.

[Meeker]

Here's some coverage by the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/09/business/union-dispute-near-seattle-turns-violent-and-idles-ports.html?_r=1

[Meeker]

I like how "allegedly held a few security guards hostage for a little while" is buried in there. No big deal.

They were in a building and didn't feel comfortable leaving because of the crowd outside. I wouldn't really call that a hostage situation.

[Meeker]

I like how "allegedly held a few security guards hostage for a little while" is buried in there. No big deal.

They were in a building and didn't feel comfortable leaving because of the crowd outside. I wouldn't really call that a hostage situation.

It certainly is if intimidation is involved.

I like how "allegedly held a few security guards hostage for a little while" is buried in there. No big deal.

They were in a building and didn't feel comfortable leaving because of the crowd outside.

I'm just going to let this one sit for awhile...

I didn't say what they did was ok by any means. I'm just not sure hostage is the right word.