EGT Voluntarily Recognizes ILWU Local 21 as the Bargaining Representative for the Employees at its Longview Facility

Both parties sign recognition agreement and agree to start contract negotiations

LONGVIEW, WA (February 2, 2012) – On Wednesday, EGT voluntarily recognized International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 21 as the bargaining representative for its grain handler employees on the vessel and in its facility in the Port of Longview.

On Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 30 and 31, workers at EGT’s Longview facility signed union authorization cards indicating their choice to be represented by ILWU Local 21. On Wednesday, Feb. 1, an arbitrator verified that the cards were authentic and that a majority of workers had chosen ILWU Local 21 as their collective bargaining representative. EGT and ILWU representatives then signed a recognition agreement and committed to negotiate the details of a collective bargaining agreement for all landside and shipside operations in the next several days.

ILWU International President Robert McEllrath said:

EGT’s recognition of ILWU Local 21 as the bargaining representative for workers at its facility in Longview is an important step forward, and we are committed to developing a long-term relationship with EGT – one that benefits the community, establishes good local union jobs for years to come, and contributes to the stability of the Pacific Northwest grain export industry.

ILWU Coast Longshore Division news release