Security guards, Port of Portland avert strike
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Port of Portland and union leaders who represent its marine terminal security guards reached a tentative agreement in labor negotiations Saturday, averting a strike that could have effectively shut down three terminals.
The last-ditch talks led to a resolution by evening after assurances from the Port of Portland that the security guards would continue in their current duties. Both sides had agreed on most aspects of a contract, but workers wanted an assurance their jobs wouldn't disappear if terminal operators or carriers wanted to hire their own, lower-cost security personnel.
"This agreement protects good-paying, blue-collar jobs that Portland working families need so badly," Jerry Hardman, ILWU Local 28 president, said in a statement issued by the union.
Port officials had said companies would be more likely to do business in Portland if they were not handcuffed to job guarantees. Portland's Terminal 6 is by far the smallest of the West Coast's six container-shipping ports, and it's already at a disadvantage with other Pacific ports because it's about 100 miles from the ocean.
The tentative agreement must go before the union for a vote and the Port Commission for formal review and approval of the contract.
The negotiation came 12 hours before a planned 6 a.m. strike Sunday that could have effectively shut down three terminals, the union said. It was assumed the longshoremen who load and unload ships would have refused to cross the picket lines.
"We are very pleased that an agreement was reached," Port Executive Director Bill Wyatt said in a statement. "The Port feels its contract proposal was not only fair but generous."
A day before the agreement, Gov. John Kitzhaber tried to head off a walkout by the guards, telling both sides that he expected a deal Saturday, The Oregonian reported. Contract talks began in June 2011.
The looming strike had led some businesses to use ports on Puget Sound, and shipping lines were evaluating whether to bypass the city. When ships are diverted and cargo rerouted, that adds costs, and potentially harmful delays for imports or exports of perishable or seasonal items.
The drawn-out negotiation over security guard contracts was just one of three separate labor conflicts at the Port of Portland.
The first began this summer when the ILWU and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers clashed over which union should have the job of plugging in and unplugging refrigerated shipping containers. The National Labor Relations Board and a federal judge concluded that longshoremen engaged in slowdown tactics during the dispute, causing truck traffic to be backed up for more than a mile.
Though the NLRB eventually concluded the work belongs to the electrical workers, the longshore union continues to fight for the jobs.
Separately, in a standoff that involves several ports, the union contract between longshoremen and companies that operate grain terminals on the Columbia River and Puget Sound expired Sept. 30. The companies have made what they say is their last offer, and are awaiting a response.
A strike or lockout would disrupt trans-Pacific grain shipments, affecting U.S. farmers exporting wheat, corn and soybeans to Asia.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
at least these guys have a way to bring money home and to there families, before dissing Unions there people to and have the right to feed and clothe there families. they also have the right to Job security and safety.
 @lee986321 One of these security guards got shot at last year while skel's were ripping off stuff at the port. These guys have to buy their own bullet proof vests at an easy $800 a pop. The only bonus is they get to write it off on their taxes if they go long-form and the chances of that might be nil.Â
"The first began this summer when the ILWU and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers clashed over which union should have the job of plugging in and unplugging refrigerated shipping containers." Â (from the story)
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I remember when that happened, thinking "Boy,. it would be FUN to put this dispute up before Judge Judy..!" Â I can almost hear her take these guys apart in a matter of about 2 minutes... Â :-)
 @margay1 on the other hand, I could hear Judge Judy tearing into ALL involved including the port, but you know something, Judge Judy isn't a qualifying judge for this matter. as it would be out of her Judiciary Location. so this statement is pretty much MUTE.
The Port sold out again!
Contracts are supposed to be followed. In labor, in construction, in credit etc etc. Greedy companies want contracts to be one sided and negotiate everything away except that they make more profit. If the companies paid a decent wage and never tried to get away with what they attempt to get away with.....maybe just maybe no contract would be needed.Â
 @Taxedstwrker AGREED 100 Percent.
 @Taxedstwrker Is for Workers keeping things, is against Cooperate greed.
@Taxedstwrker paying workers a fair wage? Corporations not screwing over everyone they can to increase profits for their already stupidly wealthy investors and executives? That's very un-Corporate-American of you!
" but workers wanted an assurance their jobs wouldn't disappear if terminal operators or carriers wanted to hire their own, lower-cost security personnel." IOW, extortion. 'You don't give us money for protection services, see, we'll have to shut you down. Those jobs are our because we say so.'