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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Politics / City / Economy Activists Prank Port Convention

Posted by Goldy on Tue, Sep 13, 2011 at 7:00 AM

The American Association of Port Authorities is holding its annual convention in Seattle this week, and some local protesters are having a bit of fun at their expense. Yesterday, some pranksters slipped a revised agenda (pdf) underneath the doors of all 900 rooms at the Westin Hotel, promoting mock sessions like "The 'Green Washing' of the Cargo Supply Chain Award," "Handout Happy Hour," "Integrating Jim Crow into Today’s Workplace," and the following little dig at Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani:

The entire mock agenda is pretty well done—an informative mix of snark and pointed critique. Labor, social justice, and environmental activists have a lot of legitimate gripes against the Port of Seattle and the industry as a whole, and it's great to see these groups having a little fun with their politics. Read the whole thing.

This is just the first in what's promised to be a week full of actions, including we're told, the deployment of 20-foot inflatable asthma inhaler.

Comments (12) RSS

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Love it!

Posted by StuckInUtah on September 13, 2011 at 7:13 AM

An inflatable asthma inhaler? You guys, this is a perfect opportunity to revisit that inflatable ass from a few weeks ago. Whatever your point with the inhaler is, it can be rephrased with asthma spelled "ass-thma".

Posted by MacCrocodile on September 13, 2011 at 7:13 AM

Who voted for Yoshitani's big salary? Isn't he a public employee?

Posted by Leaward on September 13, 2011 at 7:56 AM

Yoshitani is not elected -- only the commissioners are.

Posted by SarahC on September 13, 2011 at 8:13 AM

Thanks @4. So I just looked up which port commissioners are up for election and which voted for this port guy's huge salary. Looks like Republican Bill Bryant voted for it. So much for the GOP line of "shrinking gubbermint" and cutting public employee salaries.

Posted by Leaward on September 13, 2011 at 8:32 AM

Well done!

Posted by Reverse Polarity on September 13, 2011 at 9:07 AM

Tay Yoshitani, CEO of the Seattle Port praised Walmart last year as one of the port's largest customers... at the same time that Walmart is driving poverty wages throughout the world, from garment workers abroad, to port truckers, warehouse workers, and retail associates here. What's wrong with this picture?

Posted by Elena Stl on September 13, 2011 at 10:02 AM

Posted by Elena Stl on September 13, 2011 at 10:05 AM

I love this. It could make a difference, and if not, it's something to keep busy with in a fun way while not making a difference.

Posted by gloomy gus on September 13, 2011 at 10:08 AM

that is awesome! now, we just need to get rid of Bill Bryant and Gale Tarleton, who are the worst of the worst on the issues that matter to people and the environment.

Posted by davkanist on September 13, 2011 at 10:24 AM

FABULOUS!!!

Calling Yoshitani the CEO tells you who the commissioners think the Port is for. Yes, absolutely, he should have a salary in line with other public officials but there's more that needs to be done to keep the Port in line because the Port Commissioners sure aren't.

Posted by Echo HIll on September 13, 2011 at 10:58 AM

Love it! It's time regular working people start getting the pay and benefits they deserve.

Posted by seattleguy9 on September 13, 2011 at 1:21 PM