Published: 21 May 2012
The maritime world is in mourning after a longshore worker died of injuries suffered in a workplace accident, triggering a day-long work stoppage at the Port of Seattle.
Few details were available about the accident, which happened at SSA Marine Terminal and remains under investigation.
Preliminary reports said the worker was pinned between a forklift and a shipping container.
International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 19 called a 24-hour work stoppage at the Port of Seattle after the worker's death, as allowed under their labour contract.
The work stoppage is intended to allow workers time to grieve and to give investigators an opportunity to find out what has occurred.
Passing on his condolences, MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said:
"Unfortunately, along with the ILWU, the MUA knows the devastation a workplace death will have and the impact it has on family and work mates.
"It is why we have made safety the priority issue of the Dockers Section in both regulation and the observance of that regulation - both nationally and at the ILO."
"On behalf of the MUA and ITF Dockers Section, I extend my deepest and most sincere sympathies and condolences to the ILWU Local 19, family and friends." Mr Crumlin Said.
