No shipments to Russia, dockers' union says

January 10, 1980

The international Longshoremen's Association said Wednesday it will not handle any shipping for the Soviet Union, because of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Union president Thomas Gleason told a news conference, "Our people are upset and they refuse to continue a business-as-usual policy as long as the Russians insist on being international bully boys."

The action involves nearly 40 ports, from Maine to texas, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes. Mr. Gleason said he would seek the support of longshoremen on the West Coast and Canada.