Storm In A Port

I've heard that one in six jobs in the Portland-area depends on global trade.  So why aren't we hearing more from elected officials about the Longshore union's work slowdown at the Port of Portland's Terminal 6. (T-6)  It's been on for 2 weeks.

The Longshore union has said there is no slowdown.  And that statistics on the amount of cargo shipped bear that out.  Try that line on truckers who've been spending hours waiting in line to load and unload at T-6.  Tell the shipper who decided to re-route his container ship to the Port of Oakland to avoid Portland's labor mess.

I put in a call Monday to Governor John Kitzhaber's office.  The governor appoints people to the Port commission. Would you think he would have something to say about a labor dispute that could damage a pillar of the Northwest economy?   Kitzhaber's office did say they would get back to me.

This morning FM News 101 reporter Chris Brown asked Oregon U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley if he had been following the labor dispute.  Merkley said he has not and also said he would get up to speed on it.

Please tell us what you think about the situation at the Port.  Should politicians seem more interested in this?  Do you think some might be afraid of stepping on toes?  Whose?  We'd love to hear from members of the Longshore union and the I.B.E.W. After all, we keep hearing "it's still the economy...."   

-Steve Leader


 

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