Longshore member acquitted

LONGVIEW, Wash. – A Longshore union member accused of hitting the manager of a Longview grain terminal during a labor demonstration was acquitted of assault.

A District Court jury decided Monday that Shelly Ann Porter’s use of force was lawful.

The 39-year-old Longview woman admitted slapping the hand of EGT manager Gerry Gibson to prevent him from snapping her photo with a cellphone. It happened on July 22 when 100 union pickets blocked access to the terminal.

The Daily News reports it was the first of numerous protest cases from the summer to go to trial.

The union says EGT’s lease with the Port of Longview requires it to hire Longshore members. It employs members of another union.