Dockers union, truckers snub today`s Occupy shutdown of US west coast ports

THE Occupy movement, plaguing American cities nationwide with lingering crowds of demonstrators, has prepared to shut down the US west coast port on December 12 without gaining the support from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU).

But longshoremen and harbour truck drivers have expressed their willingness to work on that day provided that their working conditions can be secured, reported Newark`s Journal of Commerce.


Because truckers want to avoid being trapped in long queues on the waterfront, Devine Intermodal president of Richard Coyle said: "I think most drivers will plan for a slightly later start on Monday to wait and see what develops."


ILWU president Bob McEllrath told his members that the Occupy shutdown movement had not gone through the union`s voting process.


"While there can be no doubt that the ILWU shares the Occupy movement`s concerns about the future of the middle class and corporate abuses, we must be clear that our struggle against EGT is just that - our struggle," said Mr McEllrath.


He added that any third-party`s attempts "to co-opt an ILWU issue to advance their own agenda could jeopardise the ILWU`s efforts in Longview", a reference to a labour dispute over manning of a Washington state grain terminal.