ILWU is unfit to bargain. Violence and potty-mouth. Updated.

"An ILWU spokeswoman said the longshoremen “wildcatted”. Perhaps.
In Via Media's opinion,  if the ILWU can’t keep its members from violence, it does not deserve to be treated as their bargaining agent".  From Walter Russell Mead.

Vandals:  Hundreds of International Longshore and Warehouse Union members stormed a newly built grain terminal. The predawn intruders spilled grain from rail cars that entered the terminal late Wednesday, cut the brakes on some rail vehicles and tossed a security company’s SUV into a ditch   WSJ

Potty-Mouth, no message:  Foul language alert.  Members try to scare off the press, then skulk in union offices.  "Unsanctioned" violence appears to mean "Mess them up and deny we said so". 

Update on violence:  “Our teams of 4 or 5 officers were confronted by baseball bat and axe handle wielding protesters.” Said Cowlitz County Sheriff Mark Nelson. “They had their protest signs attached to bats and axe handles. When we attempted to make simple, misdemeanor arrests for trespassing, the officers were rushed by the crowd. Officers were literally holding people back to protect other officers attempting to make lawful arrests.” Nelson said. “This is a game changer. We have actively worked with all parties in this situation trying to keep the peace. This is blatant disrespect of the process, the law, and we who are sworn to enforce it.” Nelson said. The Columbian, quoted  at PJ Tatler.    Also: They dragged a security officer "out of his security patrol vehicle, took the vehicle and after recklessly driving it around the EGT facility, crashed it into an embankment".


Added: A defence from the Huffington Post.
UPDATE:  Judge fines union $250,000.  Union doesn't like it.   Their enemy is Operating Engineers Local 701 which represents the people currently working on the dock.  Link shows photo of striker's placard taped to a baseball bat to get your attention.