7 arrested in union dispute at Washington port

LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — Washington state authorities arrested seven people during a Longshore union protest at a new grain terminal at the Port of Longview, including one on suspicion of felony harassment.

The Cowlitz County sheriff’s office says the protesters on Monday were more aggressive than in the past and turned their aggression on deputies, Longview and Kelso police officers and state troopers.

The Longview-based union local says it’s not looking for trouble and that the EGT grain terminal should hire longshoremen. EGT says it is not required to hire through the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

The Daily News reports officers escorted 15 to 20 EGT workers to the terminal Monday as they prepared to start grain shipments this fall.

A lawsuit in the case won’t go to trial until next year.