OAKLAND and other Bay area ports were shut down by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) for a day-long "safety stand down" after death of docker, reported American Shipper.
Meanwhile, contract talks have broken off with negotiating committee going home, Sources tell American Shipper that talks between chief negotiators ILWU president Bob McEllrath and PMA president Jim McKenna will resume on December 2.
The Oakland Bay area walkout was promoted by a fatal heart attack Thomas Hoover, 57. After he was found unresponsive, he was taken to hospital where he died of "natural causes considering his medical history", authorities said.
ILWU spokesman Craig Merrilees said a "safety stand down" by members of the union is standard procedure after the death of a member, even though the fatality was not the result of a job-related injury.