Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, made this statement regarding Gov. Jay Inslee’s recent decision to withdraw the Washington State Patrol security detail that had been escorting state grain inspectors to United Grain Corporation’s export terminal in Vancouver. The move has effectively brought grain exports from the terminal, site of an ongoing labor dispute, to a standstill.

“There is no doubt the lockout and subsequent labor negotiations involving United Grain and the union representing longshoremen have dragged on far too long. We can all agree that after a year and a half, it’s time for conciliation on both sides. However, wheat growers in my district and across central and eastern Washington are understandably frustrated that Governor Inslee made this move just as their crops need to be moving through the port and on to market.

“Many within the wheat industry and those who represent them have called on the governor to resume the use of WSP escorts for grain inspectors. His only response has been that those involved in negotiations should be encouraged to return to the table.

“Wheat exports in this state are a billion-dollar industry. Surely the governor would not jeopardize such an important sector of our international trade portfolio just to appease organized labor – but considering the longshoremen’s union had already announced it would not return to the bargaining table until August at the soonest, there is reason to question the timing of the governor’s action.

“The wheat growers in my community and across Washington deserve assurance that they will be able to get their harvest to market. I am calling on the governor to consider the needs of the entire state and allow the WSP escorts to resume so grain inspections may also resume at this critical time.”