Re: “Productivity decline cuts container numbers at ports” (TNT, 12-19).
Reporter John Gillie did an outstanding job of explaining the economic backlash that is being caused by the infighting between the International Longshore Workers Union and the Pacific Maritime Association.
I have written to Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray and to Rep. Adam Smith asking them to demand federal intervention to put a stop to this nonsense. Previous administrations would have stepped in long ago, as was demonstrated when President Reagan put a stop to the air traffic controller’s strike.
Washington is in serious danger of losing shippers to other ports on the Gulf or East Coast. Our lumber industry is in danger of losing customers to European or South American growers. Our produce industry is in danger of losing customers to South America or Australian companies. Once we lose these customers, we won’t get them back.
Please join me in demanding that our state legislators get involved in stopping this travesty before we sink back into a recession.
