Click to see a copy of the letter.
As most of you probably know, we are facing a transportation and logistics crisis not seen in the PNW since the lockout in 2002. Presently, we are seeing massive issues that are affecting productivity at the Ports of Tacoma, Seattle and Portland. This, in effect, is bringing the movement of commerce in and out of the Ports to a screeching halt and costing the economy millions of dollars a day. It is also going to have a major long term impact on the business that will be going through the ports as customers are already looking (and will find) alternatives to our gateways. Your Club is not making judgments on this situation but what we are asking you to do is read the attached letter sent yesterday by a very large number of organizations listed within including Ag TC and Peter Friedmann to President Obama, Governor Inslee and others to intervene and stop the slowdown of commerce and get the PMA and ILWU to negotiate a contract as soon as possible.
You may not think you are affected but you will be with higher prices, etc. so we encourage you to look at the list of addressees, call their offices and encourage them to get involved. Until yesterday’s article in the News Tribune, I had not heard a word from our elected officials. Call the Governor, your regional legislators at the State and Federal level and both of our Senators. They need to be involved to get the situation back on track for the benefit of all of us. Also, consider calling the PMA and ILWU and encouraging them to get the contract signed.
A copy of the letter can be found here.