Worker layoffs coming at Port of Portland

[UpInArms]

http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/business-0/1095869355298450.xml&storylist=orlocal

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Worker layoffs and other cutbacks are imminent at the Port of Portland, after two container shipping companies announced plans to leave the port.

It's not yet clear exactly how many jobs will be eliminated, or when the announcement will come.

"It's very delicate," Bill Wyatt, the Port's executive director, told The Oregonian. "A lot of employees are involved. They need to be the first ones to know."

The Port stands to lose two- thirds of its container traffic from last week's pullout of Hyundai Merchant Marine and the impending December departure of "K" Line America.

Only one container shipping line will remain after "K" Line's exit, down from four in 2001.

...more...

[krkaufman]

1. That's what they get...

... for listening to Air America Radio.

[krkaufman]

2. Annoyingly, the article doesn't comment on where the business is going.

I assume the traffic is being redirected *somewhere*. What's the reason for leaving Portland?

[stevedeshazer]

5. Portland is 90 miles upriver from the Pacific.

It's easier to get to Seattle, Vancouver, Long Beach, San Francisco, etc.

[nosmokes]

6. getting up the river isn't nearly the hassle

that getting through the tourist traffic in puget sound or down in san pedro is. but i don't think long beach can handle all that traffic? this is strange. was there any writing on the wall? this sucks for our state.

[swag]

3. Fuck. This is the last thing Oregon needs.

Oh, sorry. This is the second-to-last thing Oregon needs. The last thing Oregon needs is four more years of the Cheney-Bush junta.

[cliss]

4. Thanks for the tip, UIA.

As usual, we members of the DU get rewarded by reading the news before it becomes news.

I wonder how this is going to impact Portland. Not good, I'm sure.