Judge fines Longshore union $250,000 over tactics

TACOMA, Wash. — A federal judge has fined a Longshore union $250,000 for its tactics in a Longview labor dispute.

U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton said Friday he needed to take action in an effort to stop what he called an "awful" situation. He has held the International Longshore and Warehouse Union in contempt for blocking a train earlier this month and a protest at a grain terminal that caused damages.

The National Labor Relations Board has asked the court to fine the union more than $290,000 to cover damages and other expenses. Leighton says he rounded down to be cautious. He also said the union will face penalties as high as $25,000 for future violations of his orders.

Union protesters believe they have the right to work at a new grain terminal at the Port of Longview that is currently being staffed by workers from a different union.