Short-haul truckers return to work at Seattle port

SEATTLE (AP) — Some 400 short-haul truckers at the Port of Seattle have decided to end a two-week walkout.

The Seattle Times reports (http://is.gd/qFy4RJ ) the drivers represent about one-third of the typical daily truck fleet at the port.

The port says the walkout slowed some cargo loads, but no ships were diverted or stopped.

Port spokesman Peter McGraw says leaders will continue to meet with the drivers to discuss safety issues. Those issues include overweight loads and worn or flawed truck chassis that are owned by freight companies and used and returned by drivers each day.

Labor union researcher Paul Marvy says several trucking companies have agreed to boost the pay per load to $44 from $40 a trip, to compensate drivers stuck in line more than an hour and to pay for some trips drivers make when they have no load.

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Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com