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Port of Portland Back to Business After Work Walkout by Kristian Foden-Vencil Oregon Public Broadcasting, September 8, 2011

Executives at the Port of Portland say business is back to usual after a whirlwind work stoppage Wednesday.

Longshore union workers did not unload four ships delivering cars and picking-up grain and steel.

The stoppage was not aimed specifically at the Port of Portland. Workers at ports up and down the Columbia and the Puget Sound were involved. They apparently walked out in sympathy with International Longshore and Warehouse Union members who want to operate a new grain terminal in Longview.

A national ILWU spokesman says the action was not orchestrated from headquarters. Port of Portland spokesman, Josh Thomas, says things are back to normal at his site.

"Business as usual at the Port of Portland today. Our terminals are open for business. Gates opened on time and trucks are being processed," Thomas said.

Thomas would not say how many workers were involved in Wednesday's stoppage. But about 500 union members stopped trains Wednesday, and stormed the new grain terminal in Longview early Thursday morning. Longview's Police Chief says they damaged railcars and other property.