Reichert and Newhouse Pushing Ports

Congressmen Dave Reichert and Dan Newhouse were the authors of a letter to the Pacific Maritime Association and International Longshore and Warehouse Union urging the parties to come up with plans to avoid another work interruption.

Reichert says he knows the discussions will be difficult and that’s why he stressed it’s important to start now.

“They need to find thoughtful solutions. We know issues are going to arise. They have to find a path forward because the key here is we have to be able to prevent future disruptions like the slowdown in 2014-15.”

Reichert says a second interruption when the current contract runs out would only compound the impact of this recent slowdown which cost the state of Washington almost $1 billion.

The farmers and union need each other stressed Reichert.

“The longshoreman, their jobs depend on those people who are growing the crops and transporting them across the Cascades and over to the port so that they can load them and unload them on the ships. There is a huge partnership that needs to be reinforced.”

Reichert hasn’t heard from the Port or Union to their most recent letter, but he says that they understand the negative impact the slowdown on the state’s economy and farmers.

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