Philippine terminal operator International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) says it has taken a step forward to getting its operations at Portland back on track after months of fighting with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) at ICTSI Oregon.

In a release to the Philippine Stock Exchange, ICTSI said the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ordered the ILWU, ILWU Local 8, and ILWU Local 40 to cease and desist from a variety of activities at Terminal 6 in Portland that violate federal labour laws. ICTSI said these involved slowdowns and work stoppages.

“We are gratified by the NLRB’s ruling, which rejected all of the ILWU’s legal arguments. Hopefully, this decision will bring us one step closer to ending the ILWU’s orchestrated and illegal campaign to undermine the success of Terminal 6 and to convincing the shipping companies to return to the Port of Portland,” said ICTSI Oregon chief executive Elvis Ganda.

Continual labour problems have seen all but one liner company pull out from Terminal 6 this year.