Port managers allegedly discriminate against union members

Employees of the Port of Olympia alleged that port managers discriminate against employees who have joined or shown support for the union. The employees made these allegations during the public comment section of a Port Commission meeting held yesterday.

Several port employees reported instances of pro-union employees being denied their overtime pay, their promotions delayed, or even being fired from their job. “I was retaliated against for joining the union,” said Naomi Hagelund, who is no longer employed by the Port. “I was removed from two teams and denied previously-approved overtime, and was told by multiple staff and upper management it was because I joined the union.”

She added how pro-union employees were not paid for overtime work after having worn the union’s logo.

Workers denied overtime pay, they say

“Essential workers showed up to clear the snow as usual, just like they had done for years. But unlike past years, the employees had just filed for the union election and started wearing their union logo gear publicly. So unlike previous years, managers refused to pay them overtime,” Hagelund said.

David Prim, a dockworker, reported how port management delayed promotion for union supporters.

“Port management delayed a scheduled promotion for employees who supported their union... Then when the port managers finally did enact their promotions, they didn't comply with their own start date that they had set, and that shortchanged the workers yet again,” Prim said.

Ron Manwell, who introduced himself as a Thurston County resident, alleged that the Port is facing charges for firing a pro-union worker who had complained about safety violations.

“The manager ordered [the employee] to work on an elevated building rooftop without required safety harness after he reported this reckless disregard for safety to state regulators. He was reprimanded and fired soon after,” Manwell said.

Before the employee’s termination, he was demoted due to his support for the union, according to Manwell. The employee was allegedly mistreated by not having been informed of his new work shift.

“He was not informed that the hours of his shift had changed until he was disciplined for leaving early.  His supervisor then continued to leave work at the usual time but refused to provide him with keys. As a result, he was forced to wait outside the locked building for the last half hour of his shift every day for two weeks,” Manwell said.

Asked by Port Commissioner Bob Iyall to comment on these allegations, the Port’s legal counsel Rick Hughes denied knowing anything about such issues.

“I’m not aware of any information that would suggest there's a violation of state law going on,” Hughes said, adding that he will talk with Gibboney to ask for more information.

Due to the alleged mistreatment of union members, port employees also appealed to expedite negotiations with Local 47, which represents the Port’s dockworkers for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. Local 47 was formed in April and is in the process of negotiating wages, benefits, and working conditions with the Port.

Lee Rose, a member of Local 47, criticized the delay in the negotiations. “Our members have been faced with delays, hurdles, and games,” he said, adding that it took them four months after the union was formed to have their first bargaining meeting.

Commissioners responded with optimism

The Port Commissioners addressed the comments made, saying they were all acknowledged.

“Your concern is heard,” Commissioner Joe Downing said. “We hope that will come to a conclusion so we can get back to business and people are represented when they want to be represented.”

“From what little I know of what's going on, I'm certain that if you guys all buckle down and work together that we can get this done,” Port Commissioner Bob Iyall added.