LOS ANGELES — Thousands of West Coast dockworkers kept working without a contract after negotiators failed to reach an agreement on a new labor pact Tuesday.
The workers agreed to stay on the job while negotiations continued, said Craig Merrilees, a spokesman for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
“There’s really no choice but to keep working and to get it done,” he said.
The previous six-year contract with shipping companies expired at 5 p.m. PDT Tuesday.
Contract talks began in March. About 26,000 workers are affected at the ports in California, Oregon and Washington.
Seattle: Council OKs police pay increase
The Seattle City Council has approved a new police contract that will raise the pay of a veteran officer in 2010 to more than $90,000.
Officials hope having the highest pay in the state attracts more officers and ends a shortage of applicants.
The contract that passed the council Monday also incorporates 29 recommendations from a panel to improve civilian oversight and police accountability.
@3. Headline News Briefs 14 no:Trooper commandeers drivers for rescue
A State Patrol trooper says several drivers refused to stop and help her rescue a man trapped in an overturned car on I-405 in Renton.
Sgt. Kim Triplett says several people told her they couldn’t stop Sunday because they were on their way to work or the airport.
She finally blocked traffic and found five men to lift the SUV and pull the injured man free.
The patrol says five people who were in the wrecked car are recovering from injuries. Spokesman Cliff Pratt says the driver, an 18-year-old Auburn woman, was arrested for investigation of driving under the influence and vehicular assault.
Redmond: Candidate’s home destroyed in fire
Fire destroyed congressional candidate Darcy Burner’s waterfront home near this Seattle suburb Tuesday morning.
Flames engulfed the house near Ames Lake in three to four minutes, campaign spokesman Sandeep Kaushik and Redmond Fire Capt. Frank Glaser said.
“The entire roof of the house is collapsed inward. It looks like a total wreck,” Kaushik said.
Burner, a Democrat, is running against Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., in the state’s 8th District. She lost to Reichert in 2006.
She and her family were uncertain where they will live for the time being.
Eatonville: Treed lynx dies at Northwest Trek
A Canadian lynx climbed a tree at the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park at Eatonville and remained in the top branches for more than two weeks until it died.
After park workers found the carcass Saturday at the base of the tree, a necropsy showed the cat died of dehydration. It had no condition that would have prevented it from climbing down. Officials speculate the animal was simply afraid.
The wildlife park has two remaining lynx.
A park spokeswoman, Cherilyn Williams, says workers put have sheet metal around tall trees to limit how high the cats can climb.
Associated Press
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