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Terminal Operator: Work Stoppages Wreaking Havoc on Portland's Economy by Andy Giegerich Portland Business Journal, January 29, 2015

A Portland terminal operator says a union is increasing efforts to slow shipments.

ICTSI Oregon Inc. said the International Longshore and Warehouse Union "escalated" efforts "far beyond what other West Coast ports are experiencing." The accusations were made in a statement issued Wednesday by Michael Garone of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt PC, who's ICTSI's attorney.

"During the busy 2014 holiday season, ILWU engaged in approximately 36 work stoppages and slowdowns of various types and for varying durations," ICTSI's attorneys wrote. "Similar efforts, along with intentional labor shortages, have continued into the first month of 2015."

Specifically, the terminal operator said a 12-hour work stoppage took place on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, "ILWU members worked during the morning, but walked off the job without notice at 1:15 p.m. Work stoppages like this cause serious hardship to truckers, shippers, and the general public."

Such actions have stopped material movements, at the Port of Portland's Terminal 6, from 24.8 moves an hour in June 2012 to 13.2 moves an hour in 2014's last quarter.

"For the sake of the state's long-term economic well-being, ICTSI Oregon, Inc. strongly encourages the ILWU to end its work stoppages, slowdowns and labor shortages, and increase port productivity to historical levels," ICTSI's attorneys wrote.

The longshoremen's union hadn't responded to a request for comment at press time.