the film forum library tutorial contact DONATE

Port of Portland says Longshoremen Doing Their Job by Associated Press Statesman Journal, July 4, 2012

PORTLAND -- Longshoremen at the Port of Portland arrived on time Wednesday morning and were doing their job unloading a container ship after a judge ordered them to stop an illegal slowdown, a spokeswoman for the port said.

A full complement of workers showed up for the first shift, said the spokeswoman, Kama Simonds. Unloading was going a bit slower than the port anticipated, but officials were hopeful the dock workers will be able to complete their work as scheduled.

The port was hoping to have the container ship unloaded before Thursday.

Port officials said longshoremen moved 15 containers an hour Wednesday, according to the Oregonian (http://is.gd/20BJbb ). The normal rate is 27 an hour.

On Tuesday, a judge granted a temporary restraining order that requires longshoremen to end the slowdown that has disrupted shipping at the port.

Judge Michael Simon handed down the 10-day order after learning that mediation failed to resolve a dispute between the unions representing longshoremen and electrical workers.