ILWU Stages Second Picket in Port Townsend, Reviving a 1940s Labor Dispute

PORT TOWNSEND, WA — More than 30 members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) gathered at Union Wharf on June 25, 2026, for their second informational picket, escalating pressure on American Cruise Lines (ACL) to use union longshore labor.

The action drew ILWU members from Bellingham, Olympia, Tacoma, Port Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver and Portland, along with local Inland Boatmen's Union (IBU) members from the Puget Sound region, marking a significant show of regional solidarity.

"We had a great showing," Alek Freitas, a fourth generation ILWU member, told the Beacon. "One of those Port Angeles guys was there today, and they're being confronted with the same thing at the city pier in Port Angeles, and so we're going to be sharing some manpower."

Port maintains Teamsters agreement

The Port of Port Townsend has responded to the demonstrations by affirming its existing labor relationship with Teamsters Local 589. The Teamsters Union represents both private and public-sector workers, including county and city public works staff, public utility employees, 911 dispatchers, sheriff's office support staff and central service workers.

In an email to the Beacon, Port Executive Director Eron Berg stated:

"The port has a collective bargaining agreement with the Teamsters, and unless port employees change their union, the port will continue to recognize and work with the Teamsters Union.

I believe these demonstrations are more directed at ACL and not the Teamsters members who work for the port or the port. With that in mind, the port enjoys its close working relationship with Teamsters Local 589 and is fully committed to following applicable labor laws."

The Beacon contacted Richard Stone, President and Senior Representative of Teamsters Local 589, whom Berg referred via email. Stone did not respond before publication.

The ILWU, however, disputes the notion that the port is merely a bystander. Union representatives point out that the Port of Port Townsend owns Union Wharf and controls access to the dock, making the port a key player in determining who performs work there.

“Port employees receive no call out pay, no benefit to themselves, no safety equipment and no job descriptions that indicate longshore or stevedore jobs in their contract.” Matson stated to the Beacon. “Being offered by their employer as a courtesy to ACL is, in itself, an anti-labor act.” 

Historical precedent: The 1940 Restraining Order

This isn't the first time ILWU members have picketed at Port Townsend's Union Wharf. In 1940, Puget Sound Navigation Company obtained a temporary restraining order against the union, barring them from picketing the passenger vessel IROQUOIS. The court order, issued on September 5, 1940, by Judge John M. Ralston, prohibited union members from establishing picket lines at Union Dock or from interfering with the company's business operations.

The 1940 dispute centered on whether longshore work was being performed at the dock—the same issue at the heart of today's conflict. Union members currently argue that ACL is using non-union workers to perform tasks that rightfully fall within ILWU jurisdiction, including loading and unloading cargo, gangway setup and maintenance and dockside safety operations.

"Today, just in response to the idea that there is no longshore work occurring, we know that there were four pallets unloaded, all moved across the dock by a truck driver," Vice President of ILWU Local 51, Nick Matson, explained. "Moving that cargo across the dock is longshore work. Bringing it to the dock is Teamster work. Across the dock is longshore work."

Historical documentation and jurisdictional claims

Union members have obtained historical documentation from ILWU archives showing that ILWU members have worked at Port Townsend docks for decades. "We have minutes talking about gangs working in the Port of Port Townsend," Matson said. "That's in the 1940s or 50s, specifically talking about gangs working at the Port of Port Townsend."

Union representatives claim the port has stated there has never been a relationship between ILWU and the Port of Port Townsend, a statement they dispute with archival evidence.

Safety concerns

The union also raised safety concerns, noting that ACL crew members lacked proper cargo nets covering gaps between the dock and the vessel, creating fall hazards. Observing ILWU picketers stated that they witnessed ACL employees standing too close to the edge of the dock to throw grocery goods into the vessel, noting that one ACL worker almost tripped and fell into the hole. 

Union members showed the Beacon that ACL's gangway has been digging grooves into the historic dock's timbers. 

Broader coast-wide campaign

The current dispute is part of a broader coast-wide campaign against ACL, which has seen nearly 20 informational pickets in Tacoma alone. Union members report ACL has refused to come to the bargaining table, instead referring the union to legal counsel.

"They've pretty much come out of the gate aggressive, not wanting to talk," Matson said. "They don't want to come to the table. They would rather be tied up in the cost of litigation than deal with [us]."

Union representatives also note that ACL has attempted to move away from union suppliers entirely, with a Teamster 117 representative from US Foods confirming that ACL wanted to switch to a non-union food service company.