NEWS RELEASE

September 30, 2002

Contact: Dick Marzano, Vice President of ILWU Local #23, 253-338-2468

TACOMA LONGSHORE OFFER TO LOAD ALASKAN VESSELS DESPITE PMA LOCK OUT

TACOMA, Wash. – Despite a second lock out by the Pacific Maritime Association, an organization of West coast steamship and stevedore companies, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 23 (ILWU Local 23) of Tacoma continues their offer to load vessels bound for Alaskan ports.

Saturday morning, September 28, officers from ILWU Local 23 cooperated with the management of Totem Ocean Trailer Express and the Coastwise International Longshore and Warehouse Union Negotiating Committee to ensure that the cargo bound for Alaskan military bases and markets would not be delayed as a result of the lock out. Within 36 hours, The Westward Venture departed for Anchorage, Alaska.

“We recognize that the citizens of Alaska are dependent on this cargo. We loaded perishable food items, mail and consumer goods. We have never failed to deliver these necessities,” said Dick Marzano, spokesperson for the ILWU Local 23. “In addition during this time of heightened national security, our Longshore members are fully aware of the importance of the military cargo that crosses our docks. We will not jeopardize the health and well-being of the people of Alaska or this nation.”

The ILWU Local 23 made a similar offer to CSX lines, formerly Sea-Land, a tenant of AP Moller Terminals, in Tacoma. CSX is the second major carrier of domestic and military cargo to Alaska. Maersk Pacific Stevedoring, a foreign owned shipping company, employs the longshore workers who work the CSX ships, they refused the proposal. ILWU Local 23 continues to make this offer to work the ships.

Marzano further stated, “Our members are willing to work under our normal hiring and dispatch methods, the employer’s action of locking out the ILWU prohibits us from providing for the citizens of Alaska.”

BACKGROUND

70 percent of waterborne cargo to Alaska goes through the Port of Tacoma. This includes groceries, construction materials, medical equipment, vehicles and government freight. In previous labor disputes, members of ILWU Local 23 have handled domestic and military cargo.