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Source: WBAI's Building Bridges: Your Community and Labor Report

PORTLAND, Ore. – Security Officers at the Port of Portland signed an agreement with officials Saturday evening just 12 hours before a looming 6a.m. Sunday strike deadline that threatened to shut the Port over a dispute involving the possible outsourcing of good-paying security jobs. Today’s settlement will prevent the outsourcing of Security Officer jobs at the Port’s big terminals; #2 and #6.
 
“This agreement protects good-paying, blue-collar jobs that Portland working families need so badly,” said Jerry Hardman, ILWU Local 28 President.
 
The talks that led to the settlement began at 1p.m. on Saturday afternoon, after Gov. John Kitzhaber’s office and a State Conciliator became involved.  
 
“We took a stand against the outsourcing because Portland working families can’t afford to lose any more good-paying jobs,” said Angie Dahlgren, a Security Officer who served as Chair of her union Negotiating Committee.
 
Security Officer Devin Lingo said workers were concerned that Port officials were being pressured by international shipping carriers and terminal operators who are financially healthy and profitable – but resent paying...

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