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

WA Gov. - ILWU & EGT reach settlement

OLYMPIA Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced that EGT and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union reached a tentative settlement on pending legal issues surrounding labor disputes at EGTs grain export facility in Longview. I asked EGT and ILWU to come together in a good faith effort to overcome their differences, Gregoire said. Both parties should be commended for their willingness to work together and compromise. This framework reflects considerable effort to put the interests of the Longview community and the entire Columbia River basin first. I am confident an agreement can be reached that will satisfy both parties and allow the new grain terminal to become fully operational. We are pleased to announce that after a series of discussions convened by Governor Gregoire, the ILWU and EGT have reached a tentative settlement to resolve the pending legal matters between the parties and the Port of Longview, said EGT CEO Larry Clarke. While the parties are still working to finalize certain conditions over the next several days, we are optimistic we can resolve the dispute and get on with the business of operating the facility. From the beginning, we had two core goals to operate this 21st Century facility safely and efficiently and to ensure the entire Longview Community shares in the economic benefits this facility will provide. We are optimistic this process will help us reach both of these objectives. This is a win for the ILWU, EGT, and the Longview community, said ILWU President Robert McEllrath. I want to thank Governor Gregoire for her leadership in working with both parties to find common ground. The ILWU has eight decades of grain export experience in the Northwest, and we look forward to the opportunity to develop a positive working relationship with EGT.

WA Governor's PR- ILWU & EGT Reach Settlement

Christmas Toy Party

Attention all members: if you know of any union families unemployed who could use some help with Christmas cheer, please read the attached flyer. Thanks for your help and concern.

Download:

LCSA 2011 holiday party referral form-1.pdf

December 12, Occupy Movement

Brothers & Sisters, please be guided by President McEllrath's attached letter.

Download:

12-06-11-McEllrath Letter.pdf

Marine Drive is open again

http://www.portofportland.com/Notices/Mar_Rvrgt_Thrghfr_01_HTM.htm

Judge Delays Trespass Ruling

http://tdn.com/news/local/judge-delays-ruling-on-sept-ilwu-trespassing-case/article_0f17b0ea-1bcc-11e1-b3b8-001cc4c03286.html

Guidance From President McEllrath

"The ILWU shares the Occupy Wall Street movement's concerns about corporate abuses and the future of the middle class, but we must be clear that any actions organized by outside groups, including the proposed December 12 shutdown of various terminals on the West Coast, have not been vetted by our union's democratically led process. Only ILWU members or their elected representatives can authorize job actions on behalf of the union, and any decisions made by groups outside of the union’s democratic process do not hold water, regardless of the intent.”

~ Robert McEllrath, ILWU International President

Download:

11-21-11 CC Memo to All Longshore Division Locals.pdf

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