TACOMA, Wash. — Longshore workers rallied in Tacoma -- saying they’re being unfairly blamed for slowdowns at West Coast ports.
Around 200 union members rallied at Tollefson Square on Thursday night, chanting union slogans.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union has been in negotiations with the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents shippers and ports, since early 2014.
In October the union began staging work slowdowns at ports in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Tacoma.
In December, the PMA halted nightshift work at the Port of Tacoma, saying it was an effort to consolidate due to the slowdown.
ILWU officials call the move a scare tactic to divide union members.
Audra Brown says the shutdown of nighttime work at the Port of Tacoma is hurting her family. Brown and her husband work at the port.
“We do, and it affects us both tremendously,” said Brown.
The P-M criticized the union in a written statement saying that because of the slowdown, “cargo sits idle, the economic damage to our communities worsens, and the reputation of West Coast ports is harmed.”
Dean McGrath, president of the ILWU chapter in Tacoma claims the PMA is trying to sway public opinion by blaming the union.
“An orchestrated smear campaign against us,” said McGrath. “And it’s been pretty effective.”