NW port workers reject association's offer

Union members at four ports in the Pacific Northwest voted overwhelmingly December 24 to reject a contract offer from the Pacific Northwest Grain Handlers Association, paving the way for a potential lockout.

The labor dispute affects six grain terminals in Washington and Oregon on the Willamette and Columbia Rivers and Puget Sound.

A statement issued in response to the vote by the Pacific Northwest Grain Handlers Association expressed disappointment that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union “has chosen to reject these companies’ last, best and final offer, which is a fair and reason...